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إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
"To God we belong and to Him we return."
IslamiCity mourns the passing of a cherished mentor, visionary, and friend - Dr. Yahia Khairy Abdul Rahman, who peacefully returned to his Creator on August 3, 2025, at the age of 81.
Born in Cairo, Dr. Abdul Rahman immigrated to the United States in 1968 and became a foundational figure in shaping Islamic institutions across North America. He earned a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a Master's in International Management and Finance from the University of Texas-Dallas. From the earliest days of his arrival, he dedicated himself to uplifting the Muslim community through scholarship, service, and institution-building.
Widely recognized as the Father of Islamic Banking in North America, Dr. Abdul Rahman founded the American Finance House - LARIBA in 1987, one of the first full-service interest-free banks in the U.S., and later established the LARIBA Bank of Whittier in 1998. His financial model demonstrated that Riba-Free banking could thrive-even during financial crises.
He co-managed the first Islamic equity investment portfolio that laid the groundwork for the Dow Jones Islamic Index, and served as a juror for the Global Royal Award in Islamic Finance across four cycles. His acclaimed book, The Art of Islamic Banking and Finance (Wiley, 2010), remains a cornerstone of Islamic finance education worldwide.
Dr. Abdul Rahman was an early supporter of IslamiCity, playing a pivotal role in organizing the groundbreaking 1999 conference, "Worldwide Islamic Communications and Da'wah for the 21st Century", held in Los Angeles. He served on IslamiCity's Panel of Scholars and Advisors, contributing valuable guidance to our digital outreach mission at a time when Islamic online platforms were still in their infancy.
From 2000 to 2003, he served as Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, offering crucial leadership following the 9/11 tragedy. He spearheaded interfaith unity by organizing one of the most inclusive prayer services in Pasadena, fostering solidarity across religions and cultures.
Dr. Abdul Rahman was also a frequent khateeb and lecturer, delivering sermons and lectures across the U.S., Canada, and globally-from the U.K. and Malaysia to South Africa, Switzerland, and Turkey. He tirelessly supported the development of Islamic schools, mosques, and community centers, embodying the values he preached.
Janazah (Funeral Service):
Rose Hills, Whittier, California on Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Condolence Gathering:
Islamic Center of Southern California
434 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90020
Wednesday, 4:50 PM - 8:00 PM
Dr. Abdul Rahman is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Magda Abdul Rahman, daughters Marwa and Maie, and five grandchildren. His wisdom, warmth, and principled leadership have left a lasting legacy that will continue to benefit future generations.
May Allah (SWT) accept Dr. Yahia Abdul Rahman's lifetime of service, grant him mercy and forgiveness, and elevate him to the highest station in Jannah al-Firdaus. Ameen.
On behalf of the entire IslamiCity team, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Dr. Yahia Abdul Rahman. His contributions will continue to inspire and guide our work for years to come.
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