Episodes
In today’s episode we’re flipping the script and interviewing our host Areeb Siddiqui- the founder of Kestrl: The Muslim Money App!Driven to leave the corporate world by his growing discomfort working around interest- Areeb discusses his MBA at Cambridge, inspiring stories about money from the Quran and Hadith, and why Muslims are so poor with money today.Special thanks to Ali Siddiqui (Areeb’s brother) for stepping into the host’s seat this week!This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl...
Published 12/02/24
Meet Kazi Shafiqur Rahman, Co-founder of SunnaMusk and Firnas Airways, as he shares his journey from being a cleaner at an airport to becoming a successful entrepreneur and airline owner. This conversation literally has it all, the ultimate highs and horrific lows of entrepreneurship, to the importance of family in business.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Kestrl - The Muslim Money App...
Published 11/25/24
Meet Arfah Farooq, co-founder of Muslamic Makers and Muslim Tech Fest!She shares her journey of community building, balancing family life, and the evolving role of Muslims in tech and entrepreneurship. This conversation explores the challenges of ambition, faith, and creating meaningful change while navigating societal and industry obstacles.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Kestrl - The Musl...
Published 11/18/24
In this episode, Abdul Rahman Abbas, founder and CEO of the Pillars app, discusses building a privacy-focused Muslim prayer app and the entrepreneurial challenges and cultural dynamics Muslims face in the UK. He shares insights on bootstrapping vs. VC funding, the importance of community-oriented solutions, and his mission to foster an “abundance mindset” among Muslim entrepreneurs.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromi...
Published 11/11/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui speaks with Sakib Ahmed, co-founder of Simply Smash, London’s highest-rated burger joint. Sakib shares his journey from fintech to food service, discussing the challenges of launching a values-driven restaurant and overcoming adversity, including a review-bombing incident that led the community to rally in support of his business.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without com...
Published 11/04/24
This podcast episode explores the journey of Fahan Ibrahim Hashi, founder of Nisa Invest, a financial platform tailored for Muslim women navigating personal finance in alignment with Islamic values. Fahan discusses her transition from investment banking to entrepreneurship and the challenges faced by Muslim women in finance.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Kestrl - The Muslim Money App ...
Published 10/28/24
Meet Mudassar Chaudhry, creator of the LARGEST professional Muslim Community in the World at EY. We delved into his journey from a school leaver to becoming a key figure his company. Mudassar discusses the value of personal branding, community building, and navigating corporate life while maintaining his faith and identity.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Kestrl - The Muslim Money App h...
Published 10/21/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui speaks with Khalid Howlader, a decentralised finance (DeFi) evangelist and chairman of Marhaba Network. They explore the origins and future potential of decentralised finance and Bitcoin within the framework of halal finance, discussing how cryptocurrency can offer a fairer, Sharia-compliant alternative to traditional centralised banking systems, especially in light of the flaws exposed by fiat currency and financial crises.This podcas...
Published 10/14/24
In today's episode, Areeb interviews Raza Ullah, founder and CEO of Pfida, an Islamic fintech company providing debt-free homeownership solutions as an ALTERNATIVE to Islamic Mortgages. Raza shares his journey from a successful actuarial career to creating an innovative, Sharia-compliant alternative to conventional mortgages, driven by his desire to align his work with Islamic values and serve the Muslim community.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim...
Published 10/07/24
In a Muslim Money Talk first I’m joined by my own brother! Ali Siddiqui, corporate lawyer, Kestrl’s head of legal and a student of Islamic Finance.Ali gives an overview of Islamic Finance’s origins and how the industry operates despite a seemingly flawed ecosystem. He also goes into how Islamic Finance proved to be a route to combining his career with his faith.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Ke...
Published 09/30/24
Today's guest is Shinaz Navas, Founder and CEO of Niyyah and former EdTech VC investor.Shinaz shared his journey from investor to founder, driven by a passion to help Muslims elevate their learning and build a better relationship with the Qur'an.From fundraising challenges, early pivots and iterations, to his strong belief on why VC funding is the only way to go when it comes to building a start-up, checkout this latest episode of Muslim Money Talk!This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is...
Published 09/23/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, Nadir Abrar, shares his personal journey growing up as an immigrant in the UK, navigating issues of identity, race, and financial hardship. He discusses how these experiences shaped his professional ambitions, leading him to a career in banking, and ultimately changing his relationship with money, community, and family values.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs&...
Published 09/16/24
In this podcast episode, Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, discusses her journey into leadership, the challenges she has faced representing the Muslim community in the UK, and the efforts to change public perception through advocacy. Host Areeb Siddiqui talks about Zara’s media experiences, leadership in FOSIS, and the evolving representation of Muslims in British society.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their ...
Published 09/09/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui is joined by Nina Mohanty, founder and CEO of Bloom Money. They discuss Nina’s journey from growing up in Silicon Valley to working for major fintech companies in the UK, and eventually founding Bloom Money, a financial platform that helps immigrants build financial resilience. Nina shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of serving underbanked communities, and the role of community-led initiatives in supporting...
Published 09/02/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk we sat down with Omar Khaliel, the founder of the Riba Free Foundation to discuss WHY interest is forbidden in Islam, its widespread harmful effects and how to uplift communities with financial literacy.The conversation touches on the global economic system, Islamic financial principles, and the need for education to foster economic justice.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising ...
Published 08/26/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui engages in a candid conversation with the founding team of Kestrl, discussing the journey of building a startup during COVID, the challenges they faced, and the lessons learned along the way. They reflect on the importance of perseverance, the role of family support, and the excitement of growing both the company and the team.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without comprom...
Published 08/19/24
In this podcast episode, Areeb Siddiqui speaks with Niaz Azad, the founder of Millennial Money UK, about his journey from a legal career to launching a peer-to-peer learning platform for millennials and Gen Zs to better manage their finances. They discuss the intersection of entrepreneurship, faith, and financial literacy, touching on the challenges of making money more Sharia-compliant and the importance of understanding and avoiding Riba.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an ...
Published 08/12/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, Areeb Siddiqui speaks with Umer Suleman, Chief Risk Officer at Wahid, about the complexities and evolving landscape of Islamic finance. Umer shares his journey from conventional banking to Islamic fintech, highlighting the challenges, ethical considerations, and the future potential for Islamic financial services.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Kestrl -...
Published 08/05/24
In this podcast episode of "Muslim Money Talk," host Areeb Siddiqui is joined by Saalim Chowdhury, a renowned VC investor and former director of Techstars London. They discuss Saalim's journey from a small village in Wales to his success in venture capital, emphasising the importance of building businesses based on lived experiences and solving real problems. They also touch on the challenges and opportunities for minority and Muslim founders in the entrepreneurial world.This podcast is power...
Published 07/29/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, Areeb Siddiqui interviews Alia Mahmud, a compliance expert who shares her career journey from working in large financial institutions to fintech startups. Alia discusses her transition from criminal law to financial compliance, the importance of compliance in fintech, and the personal challenges she faced balancing work and family responsibilities.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compr...
Published 07/24/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui interviews Nahim Bassa Group Head of Strategy & Transformation @ Bank Aljazira. Nahim shares his invaluable insights from over two decades of designing, building, and operationalising new businesses and brands in the Financial Services industry globally. This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs Kestrl - The Muslim Money App http...
Published 07/17/24
In this episode of Muslim Money Talk, host Areeb Siddiqui interviews Muazzam Mohamed, the CEO of Bank Islam, Malaysia's largest and oldest Islamic bank. Muazzam shares insights on his journey to becoming CEO, his strategies for digital transformation within the bank, and advice for navigating bureaucracy and implementing meaningful change in large organisations.This podcast is powered by Kestrl. Kestrl is an app that helps Muslim to grow their wealth without compromising their beliefs&nb...
Published 07/10/24