MEDAN, NORTH SUMATRA — In order to increase waqf literacy among the younger generation, Dompet Dhuafa and UKM KSEI FoSEI of North Sumatra University (USU) held a National Seminar on Waqf Goes to Campus (WGTC) on Friday (21/06/2024) at the Multipurpose Building of USU’s Faculty of Psychology.
This event was part of the FoSEI North Sumatra Regional Scientific Meeting (Sumbagut). The seminar entitled ‘Sharia Financial Literacy and Inclusion to Welcome Indonesia as the World Halal Industry Centre’ was attended by more than 100 students from 15 universities in the Sumbagut region.
Imam Al Faruq, Manager of Waqf Collection and Literacy of Dompet Dhuafa, was also a speaker in this national seminar. He explained about Dompet Dhuafa, a non-profit organisation that focuses on community empowerment with five main pillars, namely education, health, economy, social dakwah, and disaster.
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Imam Alfaruq added that Dompet Dhuafa aims to create positive change and improve the quality of life of people in need. To be able to achieve this, Dompet Dhuafa also invites students because they play an important role in the waqf civilisation in Indonesia. One of the concrete actions that can be implemented is to become a waqf volunteer and participate in the Wakaf Challenge.
Closing the material, Imam Al Faruq said, ‘Waqf is a jariyah charity whose rewards will continue to flow even though the waqif has passed away. As quoted from Imam Ibn Qudamah (may Allah be pleased with him), ‘the happiest person is the one whose breath stops, but his reward continues to flow’.’
Apart from being a platform for waqf literacy, the seminar was also held to serve as a venue for Islamic financial literacy discussions on the potential for investment through the Islamic capital market. An investment option that is safe, transparent, and supports inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Galih Abdul Razzaq as the National Presidium for Scientific Affairs of FoSSEI National, pinned the message that this WGTC national seminar is expected to facilitate creativity, innovation, and strengthen relationships between students and KSEI organisations in the North Sumatra region.
‘FoSEI collaborates with Dompet Dhuafa to improve waqf literacy in Indonesia, given its huge potential. They focus on students as the driving force to strengthen the understanding of Islamic economics. Waqf has tremendous potential as part of Islamic social welfare in Indonesia, with the aim of achieving economic benefits,’ said Galih.
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In line with this, the FoSEI Regional Coordinator concluded that Ziswaf (zakat, infaq, waqf and sadaqah) is an important instrument in Islamic economics to overcome poverty and improve people’s welfare. However, public interest in participating in Ziswaf is still low.
‘To overcome this, the collaboration between FoSSEI and Dompet Dhuafa aims to create programmes that can increase literacy and public interest in ZISWAF,’ he explained.
The WGTC 2024 agenda was held to promote the first waqf literacy event held in North Sumatra. Furthermore, this activity will be held in various provinces in Indonesia to increase the active participation of academics related to waqf in Indonesia. (Dompet Dhuafa/Wakaf)
Text and photo: Nurona, Wakaf
Editor: Ronna