First Awqaf development conference in Australia and New Zealand, employs technology for poor and improving societies

Victor Michael DOMINELLO, Minister for Citizenship and Communities, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs who informed the audience that he accepted the invitation despite his busy schedule and other invitations as he felt Awqaf development is very much needed and encouraged it for the sustainability of Muslim communities.He expressed his full support for the Awqaf development efforts that are being undertaken.

Awqaf and technology for the poor

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar, president of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), based in Sharjah (AUE), said, “The Awqaf development is one of the themes of future, to build a knowledge society, through the Awqaf development, the scientific research and settlement and technology transfer, to contribute to the improving of the living standards, especially in poor communities and societies, and in exceptional circumstances.”

Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar pointed to the constructive role to be played by the Global Awqaf Research Centre GARC, as a result of the partnership between the Awqaf New Zealand and the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), as well as issues of sacrificial animals, mobilizing of the Awqaf private capital, to play a pivotal role in achieving sustainable development and supporting the poor in the Arab countries and Islamic countries.

Attention of the Muslim communities to Awqaf
The conference organizers New South Wales Muslim Communities Capacity Building Guild shared that the format of the conference focuses on the applied areas of Awqaf development instead of theoretical, theological or descriptive areas.

“This conference is about how to accelerate start up and growth of Awqaf in Australia and New Zealand within the next 12-24 months. It is about strategies, planning and action,” said Mr. Thameemul Ansari Jainullabudeen, Co-Chair of the Guild.

It was also recognized that the gold standards of Awqaf development are examples in Kuwait and Dubai. There was consensus that both Kuwait and UAE need much praise for their leadership and contribution in reviving Awqaf development and for setting remarkable standards of excellence.

Accelerate Awqaf development in the Pacific region
Dr. Salim Farrar from Sydney Law School of University of Sydney presented a paper on the convergences and divergences of Awqaf Law and Australian Law and how to overcome the differences to accelerate Awqaf development in this region.

Dr Radzi Jidin from University of New South Wales’ Australian School of Business presented on accountability, audit and accounting standards development for Awqaf. The second day of conference will include more presentations from University of New South Wales and La Trobe University on developing evaluation framework and investment opportunities for Awqaf.

Develop centers of research excellence: the Global Awqaf Research Centre (GARC)
The conference also saw numerous commitments being initiated. A few Awqaf startups were announced on second day. Discussions on the first day led to a resolution to develop centers of research excellence on Awqaf within Australia and New Zealand offering graduate diplomas and MBAs, conducting market research, developing new models and producing guideline manuals on how to start up Awqaf in the Pacific region.

The conference believes that the Global Awqaf Research Centre (GARC) established early this year by Awqaf New Zealand and the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) is the way forward.

Revival of women’s role in Awqaf development
The conference organizers announced that the second Australia New Zealand Awqaf Development Conference will be held in early December 2013 again in Sydney focusing on the theme of ‘Strategic revival of women’s role in Awqaf development’.

Conference Secretariat Co-Chair Sister Marlene Corrasco explained that across Islamic history till today, women were either pioneers of Awqaf developments in some cases, developers of majority of Awqaf in other cases or developers of the main Awqaf.

She stressed that the Awqaf development in the Pacific region cannot gain full speed unless Muslim women are able to fully play their traditional role. Awqaf New Zealand which is a key partner in this conference pointed out that a new nexus of Awqaf development has emerged in the Pacific region, which will offer new models and opportunities for Awqaf globally.