Abdalhalim Orr

Abdalhalim, born Charles Orr in Northern Ireland, became Muslim in 1980 at the age of forty. He was involved in architectural and urban design work and pursued an interest in an economy that follows the teachings of the Prophet, peace be upon him. He was involved in the design and construction of mosques and Muslim community projects, in England, South Africa, and Indonesia, and in setting up with others the organisation P.A.I.D. (People Against Interest Debt) and the 1987 Norwich seminar, ‘Usury the Root Cause of the Injustices of our Time’, the transcripts of which have gone through a number of editions, in the second edition as 'Banking: The Root Cause of the Injustices of our Time'. This had a wide influence within the Muslim community and some influence beyond it and was well ahead of its time, in bringing an understanding of the importance, nature, and effects of Riba (Usury) in contemporary society. He passed away in Bradford in 2020, may Allah have mercy on him.