The History of Forex Trading in the Arab World
Forex trading, also known as foreignexchange trading, has become increasingly popular in the Arab world over thepast few decades. However, the roots of currency trading in the region stretchfar deeper into history, influenced by trade, Islamic finance principles, andeconomic shifts. The modern iteration of forex trading in the Arab world hasgrown due to advancements in technology, financial regulations, and theregion’s strategic importance in global trade.
Historically, the Arab world has played asignificant role in global trade and currency exchange. During the Middle Ages,Arab traders were central to the Silk Road, connecting Europe, Africa, andAsia. Cities like Baghdad and Damascus thrived as major trading hubs, wherecommodities such as spices, textiles, and gold were exchanged. Arab tradersoften dealt with multiple currencies as they navigated different regions. Thissystem of barter and currency exchange laid the groundwork for thesophisticated financial systems seen today.
Modern forex trading in the Arab worldbegan to develop significantly in the latter half of the 20th century. Thediscovery of oil in the Gulf region in the 1930s transformed the economies ofcountries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait. The influxof wealth and the need to exchange currencies for global trade created aburgeoning forex market. Governments and financial institutions in thesecountries started focusing on strengthening their currencies and creatingregulations to manage foreign exchange markets. In the 1970s, as more countriesshifted to floating exchange rates, the forex market began to gain momentumglobally and in the Arab world.
One of the key developments in the rise offorex trading in the Arab region is the adherence to Islamic financeprinciples. Forex trading in Muslim-majority nations has had to adapt to Sharialaw, which prohibits earning interest (riba) and engaging in excessiveuncertainty (gharar). This gave rise to Islamic forex accounts, where traderscan participate without violating religious principles. Such accounts eliminateinterest on overnight positions and ensure that trades are conducted in amanner consistent with Islamic ethics, making forex more accessible to Arabtraders.
In recent years, forex trading has explodedin popularity across the Arab world, particularly due to the rise of onlineplatforms and mobile trading apps. Countries like the UAE, Qatar, and SaudiArabia have become central players in the global forex market. Governmentregulations and market-friendly policies have supported this growth, as well asa younger, tech-savvy generation eager to participate in global financialmarkets. With the region’s growing interest in diversification and itssignificant role in international trade, forex trading is likely to remain apivotal part of the Arab world’s financial landscape for years to come.
