Istanbul: Al-Qaradaghi Advocates for Global Waqf Bank and International Endowment Organization at 11th Waqf Forum
On Sunday, November 10, 2024, Professor Ali Mohiuddin Al-Qaradaghi, President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, addressed the 11th International Forum on Waqf Issues in Istanbul, Turkey. The forum, themed “Emerging Issues and Sharia Foundations,” was organized by Kuwait’s General Secretariat of Awqaf in partnership with the International Islamic Charitable Organization and Turkey’s Directorate of Religious Affairs.
The event’s opening session saw strong participation from scholars, researchers, and representatives from sponsoring organizations and the Turkish government. In his keynote speech, Dr. Al-Qaradaghi underscored the transformative role of Islamic endowments (awqaf) in the history of Islamic civilization. He highlighted the broad range of waqf initiatives—across education, social services, development, and healthcare—that have been pivotal in advancing Islamic societies. According to Dr. Al-Qaradaghi, 67 distinct forms of waqf are recognized, demonstrating its vital role as a cornerstone of Islamic progress.
Dr. Al-Qaradaghi praised Kuwait’s sustained commitment to reviving and modernizing the waqf institution, especially through the efforts of the General Secretariat of Awqaf since its founding in 1993. The Secretariat has pioneered initiatives that enhance the impact and management of awqaf, including organizing the Fiqh Waqf Forum, now in its 11th edition.
He concluded his address by extending gratitude to Dr. Khaled Al-Madhkur and the forum’s organizing committee. Dr. Al-Qaradaghi proposed the establishment of a “Global Waqf Bank” and an international organization dedicated to waqf development, alongside a specialized university focused on waqf sciences to cultivate new talent in this essential field.
Source: International Union of Muslim Scholars