REVIVAL OF WAQF TRADITIONAND

ITS HARMONIZATION WITHCONTEMPORARY NGO UNDERSTANDING:

UNIW EXPERIENCE

Two Important Points� There are differences between Islamic and

western perceptions of wafq (foundation) � However, technical achievements of western

foundations and NGOs should be consideredcarefully

Content1. Waqf Civilization2. Waqf People3. Necessity of promoting Waqf tradition in the

Islamic world4. How to combine contemporary civil society

understanding and waqf tradition?5. What is the mission of the UNIW in this

regard?

Waqf CivilizationMaulana Jalaluddin Rumi says:“The hearts drowned by povertyand need are like a house filled withsmoke. Open a window in thissmoky house through heeding theircomplaints, so that its smoke can belet out and your heart and soul shallbecome compassionate!”

Waqf People� Understanding of ‘volunteerism’ in NGO

terminology

� Waqf people fully dedicate themselves to theservice for humanity

� We need this more than material sacrifice

Necessity of promoting Waqftradition in the Islamic World� Erosion of Islamic values led to economic and

social traumas in Muslim countries

� Ottoman Empire was a civilization of awqaf(foundations)

� Most urgent duty is the education of Islamic andhuman values

� We should consider the significance of theprinciples of Islamic waqf tradition

� There are common principles between westernand Islamic civil society understanding

� Transparency, accountability and truthfulness

How to combine contemporarycivil society understanding andwaqf tradition?

What is the mission of the UNIWin this regard?� The Union of NGOs of the Islamic World

(UNIW) is the umbrella organization of MuslimNGOs all around the world.

� 198 member NGOs from 46 countries

� Unity in every field and scale

� 30 international events carried out during thelast 6 years

What is the mission of the UNIWin this regard?� Educational capacity building programs for

member NGOs under ‘UNIW Academy’

� Greatest enemies of the Islamic World areignorance, poverty and fragmentation.

� Int’l Youth Gatherings bring Muslim youthtogether from around the world

What is the mission of the UNIWin this regard?� Promoting the understanding of ‘love for

humanity’ and ‘human rights’

� Financial and economic development, businessethics and the promoting zakat

� Moral and just mechanisms can controlcentralization of power and growing richer

Thank you…