* At NovelPath’s virtual lecture on Faith, Wellness & Prosperity in a Disrupted World
* Halal income shapes behaviour, social outcomes, says Marble Capital CEO
The role of halal income as a foundation for economic stability, social cohesion and ethical development took centre stage at the 2025 Annual Lecture Series organised by NovelPath Limited, as experts warned that wealth divorced from values deepens inequality and social tension in a disrupted global economy.
The two-day virtual lecture with the theme “Navigating Faith, Wellness, and Prosperity in a Disrupted World” was held between Saturday, December 27 and Sunday, December 28.
Delivering the lead lecture titled “Halal Income as a Tool for Collective Prosperity” on Day 1, the Managing Director and CEO of Marble Capital Ltd, Dr Akeem Oyewale, emphasised that halal income goes beyond legal compliance. He described it as a moral framework that guides intentions, behaviour, and overall societal impact.
“Halal income shapes intention, behaviour, and outcomes,” Dr. Oyewale said, stressing how wealth is earned and circulated determines whether it becomes a source of dignity or division within society.
The MD/CEO of Marble Capital Ltd emphasised ethical business conduct, transparency and accountability as core principles of Islamic economic thought.
He also highlighted Islamic social finance instruments such as zakat, sadaqah, waqf and ethical investment as practical tools for addressing inequality, supporting vulnerable groups and driving sustainable community development.
According to him, wealth in Islam is not an end in itself but a trust with social consequences. When earned lawfully and used purposefully, he noted, it can strengthen families, support education and stimulate long-term development.
“When wealth is earned ethically and circulated responsibly, it becomes a means of dignity and empowerment, not division,” he added.
The lecture series, now in its fourth edition, was convened by NovelPath Limited against the backdrop of economic uncertainty, mental exhaustion, social fragmentation and rapid technological change.
Participants from across continents joined the virtual engagement to examine how faith-informed thinking can provide practical guidance for modern challenges.
NovelPath Director traces organisation’s evolution into community-focused platform
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of NovelPath Limited, Dr Akeem Bamiro, reflected on the organisation’s evolution from a voluntary academic platform to a registered public education and community-focused organisation.
He said NovelPath began as the Association of Muslims in Academics, created to promote intellectual exchange and mentorship.
“As the years passed, our conversations expanded beyond academic spaces,” Bamiro said, adding, “We began to engage questions of livelihood, wellness, family, technology, and national responsibility. That growth led to our transition into NovelPath Limited.”
He explained that the organisation now runs a range of initiatives, including Ramadan public lectures, welfare and Qurbani programmes, youth and professional development activities, alongside the Annual Lecture Series, which has become its flagship platform.
Mental wellness takes spotlight at Day 2 of NovelPath Event
Mental health took centre stage on Day 2 of the NovelPath Annual Lecture Series held on Sunday, December 28, with a panel session titled “The Disturbed Mind, The Burnout Heart: Faith-Based Healing for Spiritual and Mental Wellness”, which addressed the growing emotional strain facing professionals, students and families.
Moderated by Dr AbdulFatai Ismail Olorunfunmi of Universiti Teknologi MARA, the session featured insightful contributions from Dr Salami Mutiu Olagoke and Aroyewun-Olaleye Temitope Folashade, both of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, as well as Dr AbdulWasii Badru of Universiti Sains Malaysia.
The panellists called for an integrated approach that combines professional mental health care with faith, spirituality and community support, while also urging religious and social institutions to confront stigma and encourage open conversations.
They noted that faith can provide meaning, resilience and coping mechanisms in times of stress and uncertainty, while compassion and informed support remain essential for healing and healthy family functioning.
The panellists agreed that as societies grapple with economic disruption and moral uncertainty, aligning wealth creation, mental wellbeing and ethical responsibility with faith-based values offers a pathway toward more inclusive and sustainable prosperity.
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