A Canadian Islamic fintech company has introduced a new investment platform designed specifically for American Muslims seeking Shariah-compliant financial solutions. Manzil Investment Advisors LLC, registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, has partnered with Alpaca to launch Manzil Invest USA.

Platform Overview

The digital platform addresses the investment needs of America’s Muslim population by offering pre-screened halal investment options. The service aims to make Islamic investing more accessible through diversified portfolios that comply with both religious principles and investment objectives.

Market Need

According to Dr. Mohamad Sawwaf, Manzil’s Group CEO, millions of American Muslims currently lack access to appropriate financial tools. He noted that only approximately one-third of S&P 500 stocks meet Islamic investment criteria, leaving many Muslims unable to participate in traditional equity markets.

The platform seeks to eliminate barriers for Muslims who are new to stock market investing by providing professionally managed, diversified portfolios tailored to individual risk tolerance and investment goals.

Compliance and Screening

All investment securities undergo rigorous screening processes to ensure they meet Islamic ethical standards. The platform uses two primary screening methodologies:

• AAOIFI Standards: Securities are evaluated using criteria from the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions
• AFSC Criteria: Additional filtering through American Friends Screening Committee standards

This dual-screening approach ensures investments align with both Islamic principles and broader ethical investing guidelines.

Partnership Benefits

The collaboration with Alpaca provides Manzil with essential brokerage infrastructure and clearing services. Yoshi Yokokawa, Alpaca’s CEO and Co-founder, emphasized their commitment to financial innovation and accessibility, viewing the partnership as supporting inclusive finance for underserved communities.

Additional Features

Beyond investment management, the platform includes educational resources to help users develop financial literacy and make informed investment decisions. This educational component supports long-term financial planning within the Muslim community.

Availability

The Manzil Invest USA platform is currently available for download on both major mobile platforms – Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Company Backgrounds

• Alpaca operates as a US-based self-clearing broker-dealer providing brokerage infrastructure for various securities including stocks, ETFs, options, and fixed income. The company has secured over $170 million in funding from prominent investors including Portage Ventures, Spark Capital, and Y Combinator.
• Manzil holds the distinction of being Canada’s first AAOIFI-member Islamic FinTech company. Beyond investments, the company provides comprehensive Shariah-compliant financial services including mortgages, wills, and savings solutions, all built on principles of financial justice and community empowerment.

Important Disclosures

The platform includes standard investment disclaimers noting that Alpaca does not independently verify Shariah compliance – customers must make their own determinations regarding religious adherence. All investments carry inherent risks, and options trading involves particularly high risk potential. Brokerage services are provided through Alpaca Securities LLC, a FINRA and SIPC member subsidiary.

Original Article:

01Net. (2025, July 16). Manzil expands Shariah-compliant investment solutions to American Muslims with Alpaca. 01Net. https://www.01net.it/manzil-expands-shariah-compliant-investment-solutions-to-american-muslims-with-alpaca/