The conference is being organised by CIS and its sponsors are the Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) and Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF), while the strategic partners are the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs and Qatar Central Bank (QCB).
The event will also witness notable participation from academic partners, including Bait Al-Mashura Finance Consultations, the College of Shariah and Islamic Studies at Qatar University, Sabahattin Zaim University, Ibn Haldun University as well as the University of East London’s Centre for Islamic Finance Law and Communities, HBKU has said in a statement.
The conference is anticipated to witness the participation of HE the Minister of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs Dr Ghaith bin Mubarak al-Kuwari, QCB Governor HE Sheikh Abdulla bin Saoud al-Thani, HBKU president Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, QFC chief executive officer Yousuf Mohamed al-Jaida, and QNRF executive director Dr Abdul Sattar al-Taie.
The CIS conference will be held under the key themes of Evolution, Socio-economic Impact, Management Strategies, Legal and Governance Issues, Cash Waqf and Country-wise Case Studies. It will host delegates who will examine case studies on Awqaf from several regions, including the GCC, while also calling for greater professionalism, transparency, disclosures and proper performance management and evaluation of assets held under Awqaf.
HE Dr al-Kuwari will deliver a speech at the inaugural session, in which he will address the importance of endowments and the ability to fulfil its purpose if the donors’ requirements are met. He will cite the Al Ghazi Khosrow Beck Library, which has been renovated through the generous support received from His Highness the Father Amir, as an example. Through His Highness the Father Amir’s support, the library was able to continue supporting its educational initiatives and preserve the heritage of the Balkan people of various religions and languages.
The minister will also speak on the potential of endowments to achieve peace and support the harmony of diverse societies, citing the example of Patani University Hospital in Thailand, financed by the ministry.
“Endowments offer great wealth potential that may yield fruitful results when their legal protection conditions are applied, and their governance, administration, and investment approaches are enforced according to the requirements of their donors,” he said.
HE Dr al-Kuwari will speak about new widespread prospects made available by articles 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Royal Decree 23 of 2014 on the organisational structure of the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs for the General Directorate of Endowments in Qatar.
Meanwhile, HE Sheikh Abdulla said, “Waqf has become an important pillar of Islamic economies across numerous sectors, including agriculture, industry and commercial, with its direct impact resulting in an increase in national income, economic stability, job creation and an increase in investment opportunities.”
Al-Jaida noted, “QFC recognises the immense importance of Awqaf, as well as Islamic finance more generally, and we remain committed to supporting the development of these key sectors.”
Dr al-Taie added, “The conference offers a rare opportunity for Islamic scholars and specialists in different fields, such as in economics and business, to come together and discuss different angles of endowments.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Dr Emad El-Din Shahin, dean of CIS at HBKU, said: “Through our collaboration, we will bring together a range of experts across various sectors who will tackle a host of topics that fall within the framework of Awqaf and how it is governed.”
The conference will be held at the Auditorium in the Minaretein Building (College of Islamic Studies building), Education City, from 8am to 5pm. The conference will be conducted in English and Arabic with simultaneous translations provided.