Before the graduation, the girls received intensive financial planning counseling and assistance to help them with life beyond the academy, school officials say.

CNN: Oprah a 'proud momma' as first Academy students graduate

According to the executive director of the International Shariah Research Academy for Islamic finance, Mohamad Akram Laldin, 80% of Islamic financial products are merely Islamised versions of conventional ones.

BBC: Islamic finance faces growth challenges

Last month the National Academy Of Public Administration submitted to President Obama and Congress its independent review on making the personal financial disclosures of lawmakers, their legislative staffs, and many executive branch officials, available as part of an online searchable database.

FORBES: Connect