Islamic banking is getting an investment boost due to high oil prices for energy-rich Muslim country.

Investments that comply with Sharia (the Islamic law that forbids receiving interest) are experiencing strong growth, and researchers believe this is aiding investment in property .

Islamic banking and finance is fast becoming one of the biggest global niche financial services markets, said Ali Parsa of London's South Bank.

Speaking to members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), he said that the Islamic banking sector is worth $500 billion (£286 billion) worldwide. This figure is expected to grow at a rate of between 12 and 15 per cent over the next decade.

Mr Parsa said that real estate investment lends itself to Sharia law.

The head of research at King Sturge, Angus McIntosh commented on their report by saying Sharia funds are looking for high yielding income investments .

For example in investing in industrial property where with a bit of leverage they can get a high income flow, which is difficult to match in equities .

Property is a long-term investment over many years. It is not speculation, he added.

The report found that Britain is the best country for Sharia-compliant real estate investment.

Nearly three-quarters of these investments use Ijarah, an Islamic lease agreement.