From November 11 to 13, 2024, the 11th International Forum on Current Waqf Legal Issues was held in Istanbul, bringing together one of the largest gatherings of scholars and experts in this field. The forum hosted researchers and institutional representatives from the Islamic world to exchange experiences and present research on contemporary approaches to waqf management.
Organized in collaboration with the General Kuwait Waqf Committee, the Islamic Humanitarian Organization of Kuwait, and the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet) of the Republic of Turkey, the forum featured the presentation of 24 academic papers covering three main themes.
Among the participants was Dr. Senaid Zajimović, Director of the Waqf Directorate of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who actively participated in discussions and thematic sessions. The three main thematic areas of the forum were:
- Waqf Registration and Documentation (A Contemporary Shariah Approach) – Discussions focused on methods of documenting waqfs in line with modern Shariah approaches, emphasizing the protection of donors' and beneficiaries' rights. Special attention was given to the importance of digital documentation and archiving of waqfs, as well as the role of new technologies in preserving and developing waqf structures.
- Governance Rules for Waqf Institutions – The forum presented an overview of responsible governance standards for waqfs, focusing on transparency and efficiency in operations, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable strategies for managing waqf assets.
- Criteria for Prioritizing the Establishment of Waqfs – Discussions centered on criteria for determining priorities in establishing new waqfs, aligning them with social and Shariah needs, and adapting waqfs to specific societal requirements.
One of the key sessions addressed challenges in modern legislation and legal protection of waqf properties, highlighting the importance of harmonizing laws to preserve waqfs in different countries.
Conclusions and Recommendations
The forum reached a consensus on the need for further investments in digitalization and standardization of waqf records, which is essential for protecting waqf assets in line with new legal and technological requirements. Additionally, participants recommended the formation of an international consortium for cooperation in the field of waqf institutions to ensure unified and efficient waqf management on a global level.
Participants also highlighted Bosnia and Herzegovina’s significance in promoting and developing waqfs, recalling that the Islamic Community in BiH hosted the forum in 2015, reaffirming Bosnia’s status as a European center for the development of waqf thought.
