Development of Charitable Endowments and Its Impact
This article reviews the history of charitable endowments (waqf) and their sustainable cultural and societal role in the Islamic community over more than fourteen centuries. It explains how waqf has contributed to funding schools, mosques, hospitals, orphanages, infrastructure, and supporting the preservation of scientific and cultural heritage. It also clarifies that waqf has played a part in achieving sustainable economic development through the investment of land and real estate, successfully providing stable, independent public services outside of government resources, especially during the Ottoman era. Although its prominence declined in the 19th century due to political and administrative shifts, contemporary efforts have focused on developing its mechanisms and improving governance to encourage the sustainability of its resources and support the Sustainable Development Goals. The article considers reviving and activating waqf as an investment in the future of communities and reflects one of the most successful models of Islamic civilization.
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