Educational Waqf Contributions in UAE

Abstract

Waqf is considered a well-established developmental institution in Islamic societies due to its vital role in supporting education, disseminating knowledge, and achieving sustainable development. The United Arab Emirates has paid great attention to revitalizing the concept of waqf and activating it in various fields—especially education—through pioneering initiatives launched in the Emirate of Dubai, which has become a leading model in innovative waqf practices. The problem of the study lies in the need to reveal the extent of the contributions of educational waqf to the development of the educational system in Dubai and its effectiveness in supporting educational institutions and financing educational and research initiatives. The study aims to analyze the educational waqf experience in Dubai, highlight governmental and institutional efforts that have contributed to supporting education, and demonstrate its impact on achieving human development and educational sustainability. The significance of the study emerges from its contribution to understanding the contemporary role of waqf in developing education and clarifying its potential as a sustainable developmental tool. The study employed a descriptive-analytical methodology by examining educational waqf initiatives and analyzing their impact on the educational sector. The findings indicate that educational waqf in Dubai constitutes an essential source for financing education and has contributed to enhancing the quality of the educational process through establishing academic institutions, supporting students, funding research, and improving the educational environment. The study concludes that adopting the concept of innovative waqf has positioned Dubai as a global model in utilizing waqf to support comprehensive development and build a sustainable educational system, offering a contribution from which other societies can benefit in activating the developmental role of waqf.