The Islamic Economist

1. Editorial Independence & Authority

The Islamic Economist operates under AFRIEF’s moral and strategic vision while maintaining editorial independence to ensure credibility, intellectual rigor, and ethical integrity.

Editorial independence does not mean ideological neutrality. All content must align with AFRIEF’s commitment to Islamic ethical economics and economic justice.

2. Editorial Governance Structure

a. Editorial Board

The Editorial Board provides strategic oversight and intellectual direction.

Composition

• Editor-in-Chief (Chair)

• Managing Editor

• 5–9 Editorial Board Members (scholars, practitioners, policy experts)

• Youth & Activism Representative (optional but encouraged)

Responsibilities

• Approve editorial direction and annual themes

• Safeguard ideological clarity and rigor

• Resolve ethical or content disputes

• Ensure alignment with AFRIEF’s mission

b. Editor-in-Chief

The Editor-in-Chief holds final editorial authority.

Responsibilities

• Set editorial tone and priorities

• Approve major features and policy positions

• Represent The Islamic Economist publicly

• Ensure intellectual discipline and moral coherence

c. Managing Editor

• Oversees day-to-day operations

• Manages submissions, reviews, and publication schedules

• Coordinates contributors and reviewers

3. Review & Quality Control Process

All substantive content undergoes a three-tier review:

1. Ideological & Ethical Review
   Ensures alignment with Islamic moral economy and AFRIEF principles.

2. Technical & Analytical Review
   Checks coherence, evidence, logic, and policy relevance.

3. Contextual Relevance Review
   Confirms African grounding and applicability.

Opinion pieces are welcome but must still meet minimum rigor and ethical standards.

4. Ethical Red Lines

The Islamic Economist will not publish content that:

• Promotes interest-based finance as normative

• Normalizes exploitation, inequality, or dispossession

• Treats Islamic economics as a branding exercise

• Serves partisan or commercial interests disguised as analysis

II. REGULAR COLUMN THEMES

Structured Intellectual Rhythm

These columns give the platform identity, consistency, and momentum.

1. Moral Economy Watch

Short, sharp interventions tracking:

• Economic injustice

• Policy hypocrisy

• Financial excesses

• Ethical failures in governance

Tone: incisive, disciplined, unapologetic.

2. Policy Brief

Concise, evidence-based proposals on:

• Islamic economic reforms

• Institutional design

• Regulatory frameworks

• National and regional strategies

Audience: policymakers, regulators, advisors.

3. Systemic Critique

Long-form essays interrogating:

• Capitalism, socialism, debt regimes

• Financialization and extractive growth

• Development myths

Always paired with Islamic alternatives.

4. Applied Islamic Economics

Practice-oriented content on:

• Risk-sharing finance

• Waqf and zakat systems

• Cooperative ownership

• Real-economy project models

5. Africa Casefile

Case studies from:

• AFRIEF pilots

• African countries and communities

• Successes, failures, and adaptations

6. Youth Voice

A protected space for:

• Students

• Young professionals

• Campus and grassroots activists

Mentored, not censored.

Advertisement & Sponsorship Policy

Our Position

The Islamic Economist accepts limited, values-aligned advertising and sponsorships to support sustainability without compromising editorial independence or moral integrity.

Revenue will never override ethics.

What We Accept

We may accept advertisements or sponsorships from organizations that:

• Operate within the Islamic economy or ethical development space

• Promote halal industries, ethical finance, education, research, or social impact

• Respect Islamic moral principles and human dignity

What We Do Not Accept

We categorically reject advertising from entities that:

• Promote interest-based financial products

• Engage in speculative, extractive, or predatory practices

• Contradict Islamic ethical economics

• Seek editorial influence or content control

Editorial Firewall

• Advertising has no influence over editorial content

• Sponsored content, if any, will be clearly labeled

• No advertiser may review, approve, or shape editorial material

Transparency

All partnerships must be:

• Disclosed where relevant

• Reviewed under AFRIEF’s ethical standards

We would rather remain modest than compromise our trust.