BY Rokiah Mahmud

Waqaf has benefitted Muslim society throughout history, even when they are in non-Muslim countries.

This was said by Minister of Religious Affairs Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin bin Pengarah Dato Paduka Haji Awang Othman during the International Waqaf Conference themed ‘Realising a Comprehensive Waqaf Implementation and Management’ at International Convention Centre (ICC), Berakas on Wednesday.

The event was part of the Brunei Mid-Year Conference and Exhibition 2022 (Brunei MYCE 2022).

The minister said even though zakat and waqaf involved financial or property transaction, they are considered social transactions and not commercial.

Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin said zakat helps reduce government expenditure as its funding did not require financial allocation by the government. This included endowment of land, building or construction of mosques, providing rooms for funerals or air-conditioning or other facilities required by mosque congregants. He said all these are derived from public generosity in contributing waqaf.

The minister highlighted waqaf does not diminish the role and responsibility of the government in preserving and developing Islam in the country. He also added that waqaf also benefitted the Muslim community in the country by helping build mosques through its Mosque Construction Fund while the government has plans to build mosques through its National Development Plan (RKN).

Pehin Udana Khatib Dato Paduka Seri Setia Ustaz Haji Awang Badaruddin said this is a reason for the public to support the initiatives and efforts outlined by the ministry’s strategic plan 2020-2024 to expand waqaf based on His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam’s wise leadership and vision.

-- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin