Professor Datuk Dr Rifaat Ahmed Abdel Karim was the inaugural Secretary‐General for two of the global Islamic finance industry's international standard‐setting bodies – the Accounting and Auditing Organisation for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) and the Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB). He is now the CEO of another international industry body – the International Islamic Liquidity Management Corporation (IILM). Professor Rifaat has been at the very heart of strengthening the industry and ensuring its stability. He is also a world‐renowned academic and expert on accounting for Islamic financial institutions. Through his work and contributions we gain insight into the international frameworks that overlook Islamic financial institutions worldwide.