To what extent does the use of religious language in Islamic banks corporate ESG reporting influence financial performance, and how does this effect differ between Islam-oriented and non-Islam- oriented economies?
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- In a world where sustainable development speaks the language of measurement and materiality, we discovered something unexpected when reading ESG reports: the use of religious language. Not only in the policies or measures, but also in the narrative itself. References to moral duty, divine responsibility and religious values are subtly woven into the companies' stories, not as strict doctrine, but as gentle reminders of the goal to be achieved. This sparked a simple yet profound question: does the use of religious language in sustainability reporting make a difference? Can belief, embedded in the language of institutions, influence how a bank is trusted, how it performs, or how it is judged? This study examines this issue across different regions, cultures and expectations. It examines the impact of introducing religious expression into a space traditionally governed by neutral and comparable frameworks. Some audiences see this language as a marker of authenticity, while others may ignore it or even question its relevance. By examining these tensions, we contemplate how religion, when incorporated into corporate communication, can subtly challenge the boundaries of what ESG reporting is meant to convey. In the balancing act between ethics and economics, symbolism and substance, it is often the quietest words that carry the most weight, depending on who is listening.