Year
2018
Country
Qatar
Language
English
Abstract
| This research aims to explore the potential of waqf institution in the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H) to sustain an economic development, support social needs and services, and hence improve the social welfare of the community. This study benefits from primary data collected through interviews with managers of waqfs in B&H and questionnaire surveys analyzed with quantitative methods. In addition, the research considers a rich qualitative data inherited from the Ottoman and post-Ottoman period in forms of historical and public records, using research methods of discourse analysis to refer to the tradition of waqf in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The results of the study reveal that awqaf played an important role in socio-economic development in B&H during the Ottoman period. In the modern era, only a few awqaf were established with the intention to serve humanitarian or socio-economic needs of the society. Our results show that experts and leaders of waqf have a great degree of perception and awareness on the significance and potentials of waqf. However, the managing system is not efficient, and only 7% of waqfs in Bosnia and Herzegovina is utilized. In addition, the results of this study reveal that perception of ordinary people is mainly based on religious function and potential of awqaf (mosques and masjids), while they are mostly unaware of its economic and philanthropic significance and role. This means that promotion and education on the potentials of waqf is needed. Policy makers need to build long-run strategies to utilize waqf on business principles with socio-economic aims to achieve. This would enhance the motivation for establishing new waqf by ordinary people. |
English
City
Doha, Qatar
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CIS Program Old
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No
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