Amman: Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, the School of Shariah at the University of Jordan on Monday held a dialogue forum titled "Zakat and Developmental Waqf: A Strategic Vision for Sustainable Community Empowerment," attended by Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh and religious leaders and specialists in waqf affairs from Jordan and the Arab world.
According to Jordan News Agency, Prince El Hassan called for the establishment of a global institution specializing in zakat and waqf, based on a joint study between the Ministry of Awqaf and the School of Shariah at the University of Jordan. He emphasized that zakat and waqf are integral to the culture of a state and the civilization of a nation, serving as fundamental pillars in building societies and enhancing their sustainability.
Addressing youth, His Royal Highness highlighted the need for efforts that begin with integrity in thinking, development, and governance, and the mobilization of collective goodwill for sustainability that transcends time and overcomes crises. He pointed out that developmental waqf is a powerful tool for transforming values into long-term developmental impact.
He further stated that the ultimate goal of the forum is to foster a new force of achievement by relying on collective charitable thought and restoring ethical values that start with the family. He stressed that human dignity is foundational and true capital lies in the human being.
Dean of the School of Shariah, Abdul Rahman Alkilani, remarked that Prince El Hassan's patronage of the forum supports the development of waqf work. He noted the growing need to activate economic tools historically used in Arab and Islamic civilizations to address current challenges and achieve sustainable development.
Alkilani underscored the importance of transitioning from traditional charitable work to an institutional model based on governance and transparency. He highlighted the need for legislative reform and stronger partnerships between the public and private sectors to embed developmental waqf in society and enhance its impact in sectors such as health, education, scientific research, social protection, the environment, agriculture, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
He also reflected on the waqf properties in Jerusalem and the risks they face, praising the Hashemite custodianship's role in protecting Islamic and Christian sites in the city. He lauded the presence of Christian clergy at the forum as a testament to unity in defending endowments.
Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Mohammad Khalaileh discussed the status of waqf in the Kingdom and strategies to enhance its developmental impact. He reviewed the history of the Islamic Awqaf Department and the evolution of waqf work within the national framework.
Director General of Kuwait Zakat House, Majed Al-Azmi, shared Kuwait's experience in managing zakat affairs, noting the establishment of Zakat House in 1982 for collecting and distributing zakat funds, organizing charitable activities, and promoting awareness of zakat's developmental impact.
The forum's discussions highlighted the importance of sharing expertise and documenting ideas to turn proposals into actionable plans.
At the forum's conclusion, the School of Shariah presented Prince El Hassan bin Talal with a commemorative shield in recognition of his support for intellectual and developmental initiatives and the strengthening of institutional charitable work.