KUCHING: The establishment of the Sarawak Wakaf Foundation marks a significant initiative by the Sarawak government to utilise the concept of wakaf for the development of the Muslim community and the state's economy.

Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg, stated that wakaf is not only an integral part of Islamic law but also a key mechanism in advancing the development of Muslims and contributing to the overall well-being of society.

“The Wakaf Foundation must be approved by the Cabinet. When the issue of establishing a wakaf was presented, I shared the idea with my colleagues that it is part of Islamic syariah, where we can dedicate property to this body, which must be properly managed. Hence, we established the wakaf trust,” he said.

He made these remarks during the keynote address at the ‘Wacana Perdana’ dialogue during the Sarawak Islamic Agencies Thanksgiving Ceremony held on Tuesday.

The Premier also emphasised the importance of ensuring that wakaf assets are registered and professionally managed by entrusted institutions to avoid inheritance issues that could undermine the original intentions of the benefactors.

In this regard, the Sarawak Wakaf Foundation will act as the responsible entity to manage wakaf assets, ensuring they are used for essential needs such as building schools, mosques, hospitals, and other developmental projects.

He further stressed that the concept of wakaf not only benefits Muslims but also serves the general public, in line with the Islamic principle of being a mercy to all of humanity.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Deputy Ministers, Sarawak Islamic Council President, Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Mufti, Datu Kipli Yassin, and other distinguished guests.-UKASnews