By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - In a first study of its kind in South Africa, Nelson Mandela University Financial Planning lecturer - Raaiq Pandie - completed his master's degree, exploring the principles of Islamic finance and financial planning. The thesis assessed the Zakat - or charity - literacy levels among South African Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professionals. Raaiq recently graduated from the University with his master's degree in business management (cum laude). The South African Muslim community, historically marginalised from the formal economy, has sought financial solutions aligned with their religious beliefs. Being an exclusion during apartheid, Islamic principles was restricted in mainstream financial services, resulting in a lack of products and services catering to Islamic principles. Pandie explains what his recommendations mean for the way Muslims manage their finances moving into the future...