Historian Syed Ubaidur attends 2-day International Zakah & Waqf Conference in Cape Town, shares his experience

Less than two weeks ago I received an invitation to attend a path breaking conference on waqf and zakat by very affable Zeinul Abedin Cajee, a dynamic personality who is behind many community initiatives in South Africa. BY Syed Ubaidur Rahman/Cape Town

I was invited as an expert of waqf in India to present a paper on waqf and challenges here in India.  The deadline was so close and as I had some important works to finish, I was uncertain whether I would be able to go or not. Then I was told by a tour operator that I was unlikely to get the visa as it takes at least three weeks to process South African visa in India.

However, luckily, I made my mind to accept the invitation and amazingly got the visa within just two working days, something that my travel agent had told me was completely unlikely. I didn’t go through the agent but approached the VFS directly and that might be the reason the visa was granted.

There is no denying that the International Zakah & Waqf Conference 2025 organized on 17-18 October 2025 by SANZAF and AWQAF SA, two top of the line Muslim community organisations in South Africa, was an eye opener a sort for me.

Ground-breaking two-day gathering

It was, without doubt, a ground-breaking two-day gathering designed to bring together scholars, practitioners, policymakers and thought leaders from around South Africa and the world to explore the evolving landscape of Islamic Social Finance. While scholars, financial experts and policy vizards came not just from across South Africa, they also came from around African continent and also a few experts from around the world, including myself who came all the way from India, after traversing more than nine thousand kilometres.

The conference, themed ‘From Obligation to Opportunity: Unlocking Zakah and Waqf for Societal Transformation,’ sought to redefine the role of Zakah and Waqf in modern society. The conference innovatively tried to move beyond viewing these practices solely as religious acts and obligations, and instead made an effort to present them as powerful, strategic tools for fostering sustainable development, empowering communities, and restoring dignity across diverse societal groups. This transformative perspective highlights their potential to address pressing social and economic challenges, aligning traditional Islamic financial principles with contemporary needs for inclusive growth and equity.

The event offered a robust programme, including thought-provoking keynote speeches from leading scholars and practitioners, engaging panel discussions with experts in Islamic finance and social development, and interactive sessions designed to encourage collaboration and innovation.

Sessions tried to explore practical ways to leverage Zakah and Waqf

These sessions tried to explore practical ways to leverage Zakah and Waqf to drive meaningful change, focusing on their application in South Africa while also considering their global relevance. Topics include how these mechanisms can fund education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and infrastructure, ultimately contributing to economic resilience and social uplift on a broader scale.

What was surprising was the diversity of topics and experts who were assembled from around South Africa and beyond. Many of them are pioneers in their field and have been working in respective fields for a long time.

The first day began with the welcome remarks from Moulana Hassiem Cassiem, a very respected community figure in South Africa and Chairman of SANZAF. Shiraz Gany, Chairman of Awqaf SA spoke shortly on the theme of the conference and welcomed the guests. Shiraz Gany is a South African business executive and philanthropist.

He is the CEO of the South Africa-based Petrocam Trading company, which specializes in commodity trading across Africa. Prof Muhammad Haron talked in detail on Behavioral Dimensions of Islamic Philanthropy where he discussed key philanthropic message by Prophet Muhammad and how it can be managed at larger scale for the benefit of the community and the poor.

The first session titled Transformative Approaches to Zakaah and Waqf Fund Utilisation’ that explored innovative strategies was addressed by panellists including Moulana Ebrahim Mokgabudi. He spoke on Transforming Zakaah for Development, while Moulana Muhammad Carr discussed ‘From Principles to Practice in Zakaah Implementation’.

Waqf development in a globalised world

Zeinoul Abedien Cajee spoke in detail on Waqf development in a Globalized World. Zeinoul Abedien Cajee is the co-founder and former CEO of the National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (Awqaf SA), and a global leader in promoting Islamic endowments (waqf) and the Islamic economy.

He is the founding CEO of Awqaf SA and a long-time advocate for the revival of the waqf institution. He has led Awqaf SA in promoting the use of waqf for various community development projects. In 2020, Cajee was named one of the top 500 influencers in the global Islamic economy. The award recognised his leadership and contributions to the field.

The second session focused on ‘Frameworks and Impact Measurement in Islamic Social Finance’. Speakers include Sheikh Prof Irfan Syauqi Beik on ‘Frameworks for Measuring Zakaah Impact’, Amiena Pastor on ‘Zakaah and Waqf for Human Development’, Raaiq Pandie on ‘Zakaah Literacy Among Financial Planners’, and Richard Issa from Zimbabwe on ‘Harnessing Zakaah and Waqf for Sustainable Transformation’.

Session three titled ‘Maqasid, Women, and Empowerment through Islamic Social Finance’ was a sort of eye opener. Shaykha Umme Rooman Soofie spoke on A Maqasid Approach to Women’s Rights in Islamic Social Finance while Fayruz Mohamed, outgoing national chairman of SANZEF deliberated on Local Models of Empowerment through Zakaah while Ruwaida Mohammed talked on Innovating Digital Zakaah for Women’s Economic Inclusion. Dr Riham Ahmed Khafagy from UAE spoke on Women’s Roles in Waqf Administration: Planning and Leadership.

It was an eye opener of sort for me as it was an all-women session. It would surprise many outside South Africa that Muslim women play such a remarkable or rather leading role in many community organizations including the SANZEF and Awqaf South Africa, beside other community organizations in the country. Some scholars, during the conference, told me that women make up around 60 per cent leadership and volunteers in social work sphere.

The second day of the conference was as power-packed as the first day. The theme of the session was ‘Waqf for Development and Civilisational Renewal’ and was moderated by Zeinoul Cajee. The speakers included Riham Ahmed Khafagy, who spoke on ‘Waqf and Civilisational Development: Muslim Civil Society and Government’, Rudewaan Arendse, who spoke on ‘Urban Waqf Development: Lessons from Waterfall City’, Igshaan Samsodien who spoke on Waqf as a Catalyst for Youth Development, and Kieyaam Gamieldien who talked on ‘Innovative Waqf Product Models for the Future’.

Session 6 was moderated by Shafiq Morton, a broadcaster and author, I (Syed Ubaidur Rahman) spoke on Waqf and Challenges in India.

Discussed important aspects of waqf: Syed Ubaidur Rahman 

I, Syed Ubaidur Rahman, discussed important aspects of the waqf in the country and said the waqf in India collectively cover an area close to 15,000 square kilometres, more than one and half time the size of Lebanon. While talking about the waqf in India I said: “The institution of waqf has significantly influenced socio-economic and educational development for marginalised communities, particularly Muslims, in India, managing approximately 873,000 properties across 3.739 million acres under 32 state waqf boards. Originating in the 9th and 10th century, waqf evolved from religious endowments to support education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Despite challenges like corruption, illegal encroachments, and government interference, waqf sustains numerous educational institutions, from schools to universities, hospitals, orphanages and many other charitable initiatives across India”.

While talking about more than a millennium history of waqf in the country, I added that “historically, waqf in India can be traced back to the 8th and 9th centuries, much before the establishment of Muslim Sultanate in Delhi. However, Muhammad of Ghor established the first documented waqf in the late 12th century, endowing villages for Multan’s Jama Masjid. During the Sultanate period, Firuz Shah Tughluq (1351–1388) restored neglected schools, colleges and built the Firuz Shahi Madrasa in Firuzabad. Mughal emperor Akbar supported diverse communities through waqf, funding secular and religious institutions, including schools with inclusive curricula. Under British rule, waqf suffered, with family waqf outlawed until advocacy by scholars like Allama Shibli Numani led to its reinstatement.

Modern challenges include corruption, encroachments, and lack of transparency. The Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2013, aimed to enhance transparency and curb encroachments but faced criticism from Muslims for inadequate measures against corruption, weak reclamation mechanisms, and potential government overreach, undermining waqf board autonomy”.

I, Syed Ubaidur Rahman, also talked about the contentious Waqf Amendment Act, 2025 and referred to the Muslim community’s apprehensions surrounding the Act. The new law removes the waqf by user provision, putting serious question mark over the future of many important historical mosques, dargahs, mausoleums and graveyards.

The new law seeks to appoint non-Muslim members on waqf boards, unlike other religious trusts, thereby violating Article 26(b) of the Constitution. Replacing waqf tribunals with district magistrates was seen as executive interference. However, thankfully, a Supreme Court interim verdict restored tribunal authority, though non-Muslim representation remains contentious. The final verdict in the case is still available.

Session 7 looked at the ‘Future of Zakaah and Waqf in Africa’. Moderated by Raaghieb Najjaar, it examined regional opportunities. Shiraz Gany spoke on Township Empowerment Through Waqf and Zakaah, Prof. Shahieda Cassim on SMMEs and Waqf: Unlocking Economic Empowerment, Amir Raheem Nkumane on The Transformative Power of Zakaah and Waqf: Winterveldt Case Study, and Mahomed Vawda on Challenges for SMME Development in South Africa.

Session 8 discussed ‘Integration and Scaling Organisational Impact’.  Speakers included Shahnaaz Paruk, CEO of Penny Appeal South Africa, Yasmina Francke, CEO of SANZAF, Mickaeel Collier, CEO of Awqaf SA, Shaykh Saad Al Talib, Founder of Zam Zam Foundation Africa, and Muhammad Cajee, CEO of ASRI. Mickaeel Collier is a remarkable personality and community leader.

Muslims in South Africa

Muslims in South Africa are a small minority, constituting just about 2 per cent of the population. They are a diverse community, mainly concentrated in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng. Muslim community’s origin in South Africa can be traced back to Malay slaves and exiles brought by Dutch colonizers in the 17th and 18th century, followed by Indian indentured labourers and traders in the 19th century, alongside African and other converts. Muslims here are predominantly Sunni, many of whom follow the Shafi’i and Hanafi schools.

The Indian Muslim community in South Africa, particularly those from Gujarat, has played a key role in South Africa’s economic development. They mostly arrived as traders in the 19th century, and went on to establish extensive commercial networks across the country, particularly in KwaZulu-Natal. They successfully set up retail and wholesale businesses that continue to remain vital to local economies. On the other hand, a number of Muslims have gone on to excel as professionals in medicine, law, and academia.

It is needless to say the minuscule Muslim community here has significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth through entrepreneurship, professional expertise, and ethical initiatives like SANZEF, Awqaf SA, Albaraka Bank and numerous similar institutions. Their philanthropy work has also positively impacted the entire South Africa.

The author, Syed Ubaidur Rahman, is a New Delhi-based author. Syed Ubaidur Rahman has written extensively on medieval and modern Indian history. His latest book is ‘History of Waqf in India’, offering a detailed historical account of the institution of waqf in the subcontinent, from its origins in Arabia to its evolution under successive Indian empires, colonial rule, and present-day controversies.

Note: The OT News Desk has made no changes to the copy; only the headline has been revised