Kuwaiti Initiatives to Develop Waqf and Enhance Its Role in Community Development
The Kuwaiti Minister of Awqaf affirmed Kuwait's commitment to strengthening Gulf cooperation in Islamic affairs and endowments, and outlined national initiatives to develop waqf work during the 12th Ministerial Meeting in Manama.
Translated by Qiyas from الراي — Original source
Kuwait’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Al-Osaimi, affirmed Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening joint Gulf cooperation in the fields of Islamic affairs and endowments, developing waqf initiatives, and exchanging expertise and experiences, thereby contributing to the advancement of waqf work and enhancing its role in serving society and achieving development goals.
This statement was made by Al-Osaimi in an interview with KUNA news agency on Tuesday, following his leadership of the Kuwaiti delegation at the 12th Ministerial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Islamic Affairs and Endowments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held in Manama.
He stated that the meeting discussed a number of topics and initiatives aimed at developing waqf work and enhancing Gulf cooperation in the fields of Islamic affairs and endowments, as well as exchanging expertise and experiences among GCC member states.
He added that the topics under discussion included the role of artificial intelligence in managing endowments and developing investment mechanisms, which would enhance efficiency and improve the utilization of their resources, alongside ways to promote the culture of waqf internationally and highlight its role in supporting community development and reinforcing values of solidarity and cooperation.
He clarified that the meeting addressed strengthening waqf partnerships among GCC member states and their role in community development, as well as discussing the governance of waqf institutions and their impact on improving efficiency, enhancing transparency, developing institutional performance, and exchanging scientific research and successful experiences in the field of endowments.
He noted that the meeting reviewed several Kuwaiti proposals, including the General Secretariat for Endowments’ proposal to introduce a national indicator for the social impact of waqf, and the “Mafaz” competition project to raise awareness about waqf, charitable work, and volunteering.
He added that the proposals also included the enhanced vision for the mechanism for presenting experiences in the field of Islamic affairs, submitted by Kuwait’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, as well as a proposal on the architectural identity of mosque minarets, balancing authenticity and innovation.
He pointed out that the meeting discussed topics included in the agenda of the Standing Committee of Specialists for Islamic Affairs and Endowments in GCC member states, as well as interactive seminars aimed at enhancing communication and exchanging knowledge and expertise among specialists.
