Waqf Municipality Launches 'Mafaz' Competition to Raise Awareness on Waqf, Zakat, and Charity

- Lina Al-Mutawa: The competition achieved a qualitative leap and widespread reach, and was adopted at the Gulf level. The General Secretariat of Awqaf announced the qualification of schools participating in the second season of the “Mafaz for Raising Awareness about Awqaf, Zakat, and Charitable Work” competition for the 2025/2026 academic year, with 80 schools from the middle and secondary stages for both boys and girls in the Capital and Al-Jahra educational districts, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Bait Al-Zakat.

Lina Faisal Al-Mutawa, Director of the Studies, Information, and Documentation Department at the General Secretariat of Awqaf and Chair of the Competition’s Supreme Committee, emphasized that “Mafaz” has successfully evolved from a local educational initiative into a project attracting Gulf-wide attention, after being adopted under the name “Gulf Cooperation Council Awqaf Competition (Mafaz).” This step reflects the significance of the Kuwaiti experience and its potential for regional replication.

Speaking at a press conference yesterday to announce the qualified schools for the winning positions in the second season, Al-Mutawa stated that the competition represents a pioneering model in building societal awareness among emerging generations, and serves as a practical translation of the General Secretariat of Awqaf’s efforts to promote the culture of Awqaf, Zakat, and charitable work through innovative educational tools targeting students and enhancing their knowledge and human values.

She clarified that the competition achieved a qualitative leap in terms of participation and reach during its second season, with a total of 80 schools participating: 44 schools from the Capital educational district and 36 schools from the Al-Jahra educational district, across the middle and secondary stages for both boys and girls.

She added that this expansion was a continuation of the success achieved by the first edition, marked by the participation of the Zakat House as a partner in the initiative, alongside an expanded scope of participation that included schools from the Capital and Al-Jahra educational districts, thereby enhancing integration between institutions concerned with promoting awareness of waqf and charitable giving and the educational sector.

Gulf Expansion

Regarding the Gulf expansion of the competition, Al-Mutawa revealed that this Kuwaiti initiative has received acceptance and welcome across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The eleventh meeting of His Excellencies the Assistant Ministers responsible for Islamic Affairs and Waqf in the GCC countries, held in Riyadh, approved adopting the competition under the name “GCC Waqf Competition (Mafaz).” The project was also endorsed at the twelfth meeting of His Excellencies and Excellencies the Ministers responsible for Islamic Affairs and Waqf in the GCC countries.

Strategic Partnership

Al-Mutawa praised the strategic partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Zakat House, commending the efforts of the members of the Supreme Committee, working committees, guides, supervisors, and judges, and their contributions that helped ensure the success of the second season and present it in the desired manner. She also expressed her appreciation for the role of media professionals in conveying the competition’s message and documenting its achievements.

For her part, Manal Ahmad, representative of the Kuwaiti Zakat House, emphasized the importance of the “Mafaz” competition in instilling the values of waqf, zakat, and charitable work among students, and enhancing the awareness of the younger generation regarding the message of solidarity and social responsibility. She praised the fruitful partnership between the Zakat House, the General Secretariat for Waqf Affairs, and the Ministry of Education.

Ahmad stated that the Zakat House’s participation in the second season of the competition is a continuation of its track record in supporting educational institutions and learners, and strengthening cooperation with educational establishments, driven by its belief in the importance of spreading the culture of zakat and charitable work among various segments of society, particularly the youth.

For his part, Tariq Yasser Al-Anzi, representative of the Technical Guidance for Arabic Language at the Ministry of Education, affirmed that the “Mafaz” competition represents a distinguished initiative to elevate the status of the Arabic language, enable learners to acquire its skills, hone their talents, and identify outstanding students, while also nurturing the youth and encouraging them to learn Arabic and improve their proficiency in it.

Al-Anzi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the General Secretariat for Waqf Affairs for launching this initiative, noting that the competition is being held for the second consecutive year following the success it achieved in its first season, and the expansion witnessed in its current season. He expressed his hope for further spread and growth in the coming years.