"The world is now confronted by various challenges such as the shortage of energy and the decrease in food sources. This is caused by the increasing demand in line with the world population growth," he said at the opening of Sharia Economics Conference Saturday (Feb 9) in Hannover, Germany, organized by the Proficient Indonesian Muslims Association (PRIMA).
He added with the Sharia economy that maintains the balance continuously and its goal to reach an equalized prosperity, it is expected to solve those problems.
"Basically, it is not allowed by Sharia that the resources are entirely controlled by the capitalists," Ayodhia said.
According to him, the asset of Sharia banks in Indonesia has now reached Rp179 trillion or equals to US$18,5 billion.
The number of users using services of the sharia banks in Indonesia grew by 36% from 2011 to 2012, and has now reached to 13.4 million accounts.
Not only do Sharia banks in Indonesia act as business institutions but also have social activities, such as fund raising, infaq (meaning charity simply to please God without asking for any favor or hoping for a return), charity and waqaf money (an inalienable religious endowment in Islamic law, typically denoting a building or plot of land or even cash for Muslim religious or charitable purposes).
The amount of social funds collected and disbursed through the Sharia bank is Rp94.9 billion or equals to US$9.7 million.
The norms in the Sharia economic principles are not limited to banking businesses only. Regarding the world`s need and demand of sustainability, the economic wheel should now consider many aspects in the environment and climate protection.
The Sharia economics shall also play an active role to create and perform a sustainable economic system that is stable, and not prone to the crises.
"The synergy between Sharia economy and Sharia technology will build a strong fortress in the economy of a country to face the future challenges," Ayodhia said.
(KR-LWA/B005)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
