Case Studies of Waqf Properties in Tunisia

The Islamic endowment system (also known as Hubus by the Tunisian public) is deeply embedded in the Islamic thought and ethics and was central to the lives of Tunisians. However, it remained incomprehensively explored and perhaps unknown to many people. Therefore, this study is an attempt to elucidate the case of awqaf in Tunisia. It discusses the history, types, and structure of awqaf with particular emphasis on the awqaf properties that belong to the Zaytuna Mosque (built in 116AH/736AD) and the awqaf properties offered by the Tunisian princess Aziza Othmana (d. 1669). The study also investigates the status of Awqaf in the French colonial era (1881-1956). Besides, it discusses the internal and external factors that have led to the cancellation of awqaf by the late president Habib Bourguiba on May 31, 1956, just two months after he took power. The study also examines the ongoing ideological, political and legal debates in post-dignity revolution particularly between the secularists who claim that awqaf are part of the past and they must not have any place in the modern state and society, and the Islamists, mainly from Ennahda Movement, who maintain that awqaf have played an important role throughout the history of Islam and could extensively contribute to building the modern society. The study concludes with addressing the challenges facing the revival of awqaf system in Tunisia. The aim of this case study is twofold: To illustrate the development, current landscapes, and issues of Tunisia’s awqaf model; and to highlight the uniqueness of awqaf system in Tunisia and the challenges facing its revival. It is a library-based, theoretical, and evidenced-based case study that would perhaps provoke more scholarly debates on Tunisia’s Awqaf model.