Islamic Banking - An Alternative System

Abstract: Islamic banking is an investment and financing system which expands globally. The Islamic banks have only been established for some 30 years but the banking system is based on long-going traditions within Islamic finance. The system is founded on ethical values and emphasises the well-being of society as a whole. Islamic banking is different from conventional banking in most aspects, since its close tie to religion is very important. The system is not based on interest, as it is prohibited in Islam. Instead Islamic banks offer various kinds of accounts and a range of financing alternatives all complying with the Islamic Law – Shari’a. To work according to Shari’a is crucial for the banks and their activities are controlled by a special Religious Supervisory Board working within the bank. The implementation of the Islamic banking system varies to some extent between Islamic countries. It has been influenced by its connections to politics of and the history in the countries where the system operates. As a result to the variations between the states’ implementation, the need for harmonisation increases as the expansion of Islamic banks continues. Several organisations work to achieve international standardisation and harmony to make the banking activities more transparent and attractive. The achievement of harmonisation as well as the performance of the banks is crucial for the future of Islamic banking. The dissertation is based on extensive literature review and a personal interview with a professional within an Islamic bank in Lebanon.