A LOOK AT THE ISLAMIC FINANCE INDUSTRY

A glance at Islamic finance:

WHAT'S ON OFFER: Standard & Poor's predicts the global Islamic finance industry could potentially be worth $4 trillion, over seven times its current size.

WHAT'S BANNED: Shariah law forbids the giving or receiving of riba, or interest, and requires deals to be based on tangible assets. Earning money from companies involved with alcohol, tobacco, gambling and pornography is also off limits.

WHAT IS IT: A sukuk, or form of bond, is an asset-based investment in which the investor owns an undivided interest in an underlying tangible asset which is proportionate to the investment. Monies raised by the issue of the sukuk note are used to invest in an underlying physical asset, such as leased land.

LONDON AHEAD: The British capital currently has the largest pool of Shariah compliant assets in the West. It also has more wholesale and retail banks serving the sector than any other Western country.

POTENTIAL PITFALLS: Debate among Shariah scholars around the world about whether recent deals conform with Shariah law could complicate the industry's growth.