Call for Papers: Reality and Prospects. Waqf Laws & Management

International Conference on Waqf Laws & Management
Reality and Prospects
20th – 22nd October 2009/
1st – 3rd Dhu’l-Qa’dah 1430
CULTURAL ACTIVITY CENTRE (CAC)
INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

For the last 1400 years, the Islamic philanthropic device known as Waqf, permits settlement in perpetuity of property (movable and immovable, including money in cash) for religious and charitable purposes and helping the poor, both Muslims and non – Muslims. A very large number of awqaf have been created all over the world for the preservation of religious and charitable institutions and for the educational and economic development of the community. Thus awqaf have become a valuable asset of the Muslim community all over the world.

Awqaf must be governed properly and their assets should be managed professionally. However, unfortunately, majority of awqaf have been the victim of neglect, mismanagement and misappropriation. It is either due to weak legal infra-structure which regulates them or it is because of ill-planning and defective management. Therefore, a proper legal infrastructure and professional management techniques appear as essential pre-requisites for the revitalization of awqaf.

None of the awqaf conferences held during recent years (Harvard – 2006, 2008; South Africa – 2007; Singapore – 2008; Kuwait – 2008; Iran – 2008) concentrated on either law or management. Their themes ranged from origin to nationalization and from investment to civilization aspects. All of these are important, but so also the legal and management aspects of waqf, which are equally important and of fundamental significance. The proposed conference tries to fill this gap by making legal regulation and management strategies of waqf as the theme of the conference.

The conference will bring together experts in waqf laws and management from Muslim and Muslim minority countries to help formulate effective legal measures and sound management policies for an effective waqf management.


Theme of the conference

‘Towards Effective Legal Regulation and Professional Management of Awqaf’.

Dimensions

There are long standing problems and issues in awqaf governance whose solutions need to be found during the conference deliberations. The problems and issues that deserve serious deliberations are as follows but not limited to:

· The contents of an ideal waqf legislation, keeping in view the variations and differences in social structure and ethnic composition in various countries;
· Determining the extent to which State may have some control over awqaf, both legally and strategically;
· To examine the effect of other laws on awqaf. For example, the effect of land reform laws on waqf in various countries, that of income tax laws, that of rent control laws and so on;
· Identifying the best Islamic management model for awqaf, keeping in view the demand for democratization and ethical corporate governance;
· The possibility of inducting representatives of ulama and mutawallis for able leadership in the governance process of awqaf.


Objectivos

· To revive waqf institutions through better legal regulation and management efficiency.
· To become part and parcel of a global effort to revive awqaf institution so that these may once again occupy their past status of being the most frequently used mode of Muslim philanthropy.
· To explore the possibility of a model Waqf Law which may identify certain core issues like survey, audit, management policies and organization structure, etc. which every waqf legislation should strive to have.
· To promote networking among the experts in waqf laws, Islamic and management of various countries.
· To exchange information regarding waqf laws and management in various countries with a view of bench marking the best practices.
· To promote and fund more researches on waqf issues, particularly in the areas of law and Islamic management.

Call for Papers / Participation
The organizers invite those who have either academic interest in waqf matters or those who are connected with awqaf as government or quasi-government officials, or administrators of awqaf to present papers or participate in this important conference. The paper should relate to any aspect of law and management of waqf, written in the usual academic style of providing foot-notes, full reference of sources relied upon and APA style bibliography if possible. The abstract should be in not more than 250 words, using Times New Roman font size 12, clearly giving the title of the paper, author’s name, designation, address, e-mail address and telephone number. The abstract and paper should be sent through e-mail attachment in Microsoft Word.
Please submit your abstracts to the following address:
International Institute for Muslim Unity
Level 2 Administration Building
International Islamic University Malaysia
P.O. Box 10, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Phone: 00-603-6196 5435
Fax: 00-603-6196 4340
Email: waqf2009@gmail.com
Email : waqf2009@yahoo.com
Website : http://www.iiu.edu.my/awqaf2009

Important Dates

Deadline for Abstract : 15th May, 2009
Deadline for Full Papers : 15th August, 2009
Note: Any late submission will be subjected to the decision of the organizing committee.

Venue

The conference will be held at the Cultural Activity Centre (CAC), International Islamic University Malaysia in Gombak, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Conference Languages

English
Arabic

Flight details:

Taking into account the current financial constraints, the conference will not be able to sponsor the tickets and accommodation of the participants. However, the organizers will be pleased to assist those who are willing to book for accommodation at Renaissance Hotel on their own cost. For more information on Renaissance Hotel, please visit their website at: http://www.kl-hotels.com/renaissance

Registration Fees:

1- Malaysian Participants : RM 800
2- Students from Malaysian Universities : RM 150
3- International Participants : USD 400
4- International Students : USD 150

The fees will cover:

1- Three meals during the conference days.
2- Conference Materials (Bags, Abstract Book, CD).

Payment can be made by cheque or bank draft and payable to: ‘Management Centre, IIUM’

Bank’s details;
Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, UIA Branch
Account No.: 140 70000008 717
Swift Code: BMMBMYKL
Overseas Correspondence Agent: CITIBANKNEWYORK

* Early Bird’s registration (with full payment made before 15 May 2009) is entitled for 10% discount.* 3 or more registrations from the same organization are entitled for 15% discount.

Registration Form

1. If you plan to present a paper, please fill in this form and fax/mail it to the International Institute for Muslim Unity before 15 May 2009.
2. If you plan to attend as participant only, please fill in this form and fax/mail it to the International Institute for Muslim Unity latest by 15 September 2009.
(You will receive a confirmation of your registration/submission of paper by fax or mail.)

Name : ……………………………………………………………………….
(Prof./Assoc. Prof/Dr./Mr./Mrs./Ms.)

Institution : ……………………………………………………………………….
Address : ……………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………….
Phone No (office) ………………………… Mobile ……………………………
Fax No …………………………

I wish to : Attend the conference as participant
Attend and present a paper
Title of paper …………………………………………………………..
…………………………………………………………………………..

Method of payment:

Payment for registration must be made latest by 15 September 2009. Payment can be made by cheque or bank draft and payable to: ‘Management Centre, IIUM’

Bank’s details:

Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, IIUM Branch
Account No.: 1407-0000008-71-7
Swift Code: BMMBMYKL
Overseas Correspondence Agent: CITIBANKNEWYORK

* Early Bird’s registration (with full payment made before 15 May 2009) is entitled for 10% discount.
* 3 or more registrations from the same organization are entitled for 15% discount.

Please fax/send the registration form to;

International Institute for Muslim Unity
Level 2, Administration Building
International Islamic University Malaysia
P.O. Box 10, 50728 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Fax : 00-603-61964340
Email : awqaf2009@yahoo.com or awqaf2009@gmail.com
Website: www.iiu.edu.my/awqaf2009

For any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact;

1. Pn. Shahrizad Bt. Sa-idul Haj Tel: 6-03-61965435
2. Miss Zuhainy Mat Deris Tel: 6-03-61965764