DUSHANBE, June 21, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A working group has been set up at the National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) for drafting law providing for introduction of principles of Islamic banking in the country’s banking system, the NBT spokesman Abdugaffor Qurbonov said.

According to him, specialists from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Central Bank of Malaysia will assist the working group with working out the mentioned bill.

Wikipedia says Islamic banking (or participant banking) is banking or banking activity that is consistent with the principles of Islamic law (Sharia) and its practical application through the development of Islamic economics.  Sharia prohibits the payment or acceptance of specific interest or fees (known as Riba or usury) for loans of money.  Investing in businesses that provide goods or services considered contrary to Islamic principles is also Haraam (forbidden).  While these principles were used as the basis for a flourishing economy in earlier times, it is only in the late 20th century that a number of Islamic banks were formed to apply these principles to private or semi-private commercial institutions within the Muslim community.

Islamic banking has the same purpose as conventional banking except that it operates in accordance with the rules of Sharia, known as Fiqh al-Muamalat (Islamic rules on transactions).  The basic principle of Islamic banking is the sharing of profit and loss and the prohibition of riba (usury).  Common terms used in Islamic banking include profit sharing (Mudharabah), safekeeping (Wadiah), joint venture (Musharakah), cost plus (Murabahah), and leasing (Ijar).

Islamic banking is restricted to Islamically acceptable transactions, which exclude those involving alcohol, pork, gambling, etc. The aim of this is to engage in only ethical investing, and moral purchasing.  Islamic Banking and Finance Database provides more information on the subject.