Adfer Shah

Waqf means Islamic endowments or institution of perpetual endowment which has been there for fourteen centuries. Auqaf have channelled private wealth into lasting public benefit in terms of mosques, hospitals, schools, water systems and family trusts held across generations. Classical Islamic jurisprudence draws no distinction between men and women in the right to create, administer, or benefit from these endowments.

In an era when many societies struggle with weakening family ties and divided communities, Saudi Arabia stands out as a place where an ancient Islamic practice has grown into something far more powerful than simple charity. Waqf, the system of perpetual endowments, has become a living source of social capital that quietly strengthens the bonds holding people together.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 has masterfully integrated the ancient institution of waqf into its ambitious agenda for economic diversification and social advancement. Under the strategic oversight of the General Authority for Awqaf, the Kingdom manages over 113,000 waqf institutions with assets targeted to reach SAR 350 billion by 2030. Licensed waqf investment funds have surpassed SAR 1.7 billion in net assets by the end of 2024, while development expenditures exceeded SAR 2.5 billion that year.