Shura Council Mourns the Loss of Dr Yahia Abdul Rahman
إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
“To God we belong and to Him we return”
With deep sorrow and profound respect, the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California extends its heartfelt condolences on the passing of Dr Yahia Abdul Rahman (1944-2025), a distinguished leader, visionary, and pioneer in Islamic finance and community development. Dr Abdul Rahman, immigrated to the US in 1968 and since then was a distinguished community leader in North America. He made an indelible impression on everyone he met.
Dr Abdul Rahman served as the Chairman of the Shura Council from 2000 to 2003. He led the Muslim community during the critical time of the 9/11 tragedy and organized a special prayer ceremony for the victims, in collaboration with other interfaith and civic leaders, in Pasadena.
He was widely known as the Father of Islamic Banking in North America. Dr Abdul Rahman played a pivotal role in reshaping the understanding and practice of Islamic finance in the US, proving that interest-free banking could succeed even during times of financial crisis. He was an active participant in major global Islamic finance conferences and advisory boards. He served as a member of the original organizing group and jury of a prestigious world class Malaysian Global Royal Award in Islamic Finance (in 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) to elect the best Islamic banker in the world. His contributions to the development of Islamic banking included involvement in the launch of the Industrial Bank of Kuwait (1974-1975), American Finance House – LARIBA in 1987, LARIBA Bank of Kazakhstan (1994) and, LARIBA Bank of Whittier (1998). He was also the author of “ The Art of Islamic Banking and Finance ”, published by Wiley in January 2010.
He was invited to speak and present on RF (Riba Free) banking and finance in the US, Canada, United Kingdom, South Africa, Switzerland, Germany, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Kazakhstan, India, Trinidad, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt. He actively volunteered in various capacities to support the operations of numerous community centers and schools across the US and Canada. Dr Abdul Rahman was also frequently invited to deliver Friday khutbahs at various local Mosques in Southern California and also in other major cities throughout the US, Canada, India, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.
Shura Council Chairwoman, Dr Deana Helmy said, “Dr Yahia Abdul Rahman, through his tireless community service and visionary leadership, serves as a model for the American Muslim community and for all Americans. His leadership will be missed.” The funeral service was held at Rose Hills in Whittier on Wednesday, August 6.
Dr Abdul Rahman is survived by his wife, Dr Magda Abdul Rahman, his two daughters, Marwa and Maie, and five grandchildren.
May the Almighty bestow His mercy, forgiveness, blessings, and grace upon Dr Abdul Rahman’s soul. May his eternal abode be Jannah (Paradise).
