Syariah banking shows two contradictory trends. First it insists it is different. But second, it wants to compete with Western banking in terms of financial services offered, but without imprudent risks to provide them.

The difference must lie in the adequacy of regulations based on applied theology, enforcement, and transparency.

Ahmad Riawan, chairman of the Indonesia Sharia Bank Association, noted in a recent Jakarta seminar on the sharia economy, that the central bank was confident it could contribute to Indonesian development without inflationary pressures.