Halal food and faith-friendly money abroad

Food and money are two areas where faith meets daily life very directly once you live independently. This lesson focuses on asking the right questions and finding reliable information; for food shopping in detail, see 'Finding halal food abroad' in the Groceries and Meal Planning module.

Food on campus and in shared kitchens

• Ask catering what is available. The University of Surrey says it will assess demand for options such as halal, kosher, vegetarian and vegan food and provide them in catering outlets where there is demand.
• If demand is the deciding factor, speak up: tell catering staff, and ask your faith society whether it already raises food needs with the university.
• In a shared flat, you can keep your own labelled pans, utensils and a fridge shelf if that matters to you. Explain simply and without judgement: 'I keep my own pan for religious reasons, so please don't use it.'
• Older members of your faith society are the fastest guide to trusted local butchers, restaurants and shops.
• These questions are not only for Muslim students: kosher, vegetarian (for example many Hindu, Jain and Sikh students) and other needs deserve the same respect.

Islamic finance in plain words

• The Bank of England explains that Islamic finance manages money in line with Islamic moral principles, including that money should not earn money on its own, so interest is avoided where possible.
• It also involves sharing profits and risks and avoiding investment in harmful sectors such as alcohol, tobacco and gambling (Bank of England).
• With an Islamic current account, the bank uses your deposit as an interest-free loan (qard) to fund its operations; savings accounts share profit from permitted activities (Bank of England).
• Anyone can use Islamic finance products, Muslim or not (Bank of England). Many people of other faiths and none also look for ethical banking that avoids certain industries.

Sharia-compliant accounts in the UK

• MoneyHelper says Sharia-compliant current accounts offer normal day-to-day banking but pay no return and do not offer overdrafts.
• Savings accounts quote an 'expected profit rate' instead of an interest rate, and a panel of advisers checks that the bank's activities comply (MoneyHelper).
• MoneyHelper keeps a list of banks offering these accounts to UK customers. Names and offers change, so check its current list rather than relying on an old one.
• Cash in UK-authorised banks is protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. MoneyHelper states a limit of £120,000 per authorised firm; check the current figure before relying on it.
• Before opening any account, compare fees, app quality and whether you can open it as an international student (see the Banking and Credit module).

Student loans and faith

• Some students choose not to take interest-bearing student loans for religious reasons. The University of Bristol says you can decline a Student Loans Company loan, but you then need another way to pay, such as savings or family support.
• The UK government has announced plans for 'alternative student finance' in England, designed to be compatible with Islamic finance principles. The start date has changed more than once, so check gov.uk for current eligibility and timing before relying on it.
• Bristol also notes that some bursaries and grants do not require you to take a loan, and that Muslim students in hardship may be eligible for help from the National Zakat Foundation.
• International students usually cannot get UK government student loans in any case; your funding questions go to your university's money advice service.

Getting qualified guidance

• Whether a specific product is acceptable for you is a religious question. Ask a qualified scholar or faith leader you trust, and bring the product's details with you.
• For the money side, use your university's student money adviser, who can explain grants, bursaries and hardship funds.
• Be wary of anyone online who promises 'halal' returns that sound too good to be true. The Scams and Fraud module explains how investment scams work.