Lecturers of FEBI UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Alex Fahrur Riza, SE., M.Sc., CMA and Izra Berakon, M.Sc. presented their research entitled “Gen Z Behaviour Towards Digital Waqf Innovation: Evidence from Indonesia” at The 11th Global Waqf Conference (GWC) 2023 with the theme “New Generation Waqfship / Yeni Nesil Vakıfçılık”. The event was held at Sabahattin Zaim University Halkalı Merkez, Halkalı, 34303 Küçükçekmece/İstanbul and Ibn Haldun University Başak Mah. Ordu Cad. No:3 P.K. 34480 Başakşehir, İstanbul, Turkiye.

The 11th Global Waqf Conference (GWC) 2023 is an international waqf forum aimed at raising awareness, developing new and innovative ideas, and ensuring the principles of good waqf governance disseminated and practiced by the global community, business sector, and stakeholders. GWC has been on a vital mission to focus intellectual activities towards waqf for a decade. The 2023 GWC was held in Istanbul, the cradle of waqf. The 11th GWC was organized by Ibn Haldun University (IHU) and Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University (IZU), in collaboration with the İlim Yayma Foundation and in partnership with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), University Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK), Finterra, and Al-Madinah International University (MEDIU).

The research presented by Alex and Izra entitled “Gen Z Behaviour Towards Digital Waqf Innovation: Evidence from Indonesia” explains the rapid growth and innovation of technology in Indonesia, including in the field of waqf. Technological innovation has transformed societal habits, including online donations. Gen Z, being the age group that most rapidly adopts technology, has great potential in the future for waqf development. The applied strategies include digital banking integration, crowdfunding, e-commerce, e-wallet, QRIS, and other fintech. This study aims to identify the factors influencing Gen Z’s adoption of waqf technology in Indonesia by developing the UTAUT2 (Extended) theory using PLS-SEM, and the research was supported by qualitative data to explore the potential development of waqf technology in Indonesia from the perspective of technology users.

The opening of the 11th Global Waqf Conference (GWC) 2023 was attended by:

• Dato’ Dr. Mohd Ghazali Mohd Nor (Convenor of the Global Waqf Conference, Malaysia)

• Prof. Dr. Atilla Arkan (Rector of Ibn Haldun University)

• Prof. Ahmet Cevat Acar (Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University)

• Heyeti Başkan Vekili, İstanbul Milletvekili, Av. Nurettin Alan (Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ilim Yayma Waqf, Istanbul PM)

With Keynote Speeches by:

• Daire Başkan Vekili Taner Karadayı (Head of Charity Services Department and Acting Head of Foreign Relations Department of the Directorate General of Foundation, Turkiye)

• Prof. Dr. İsrafil Kışla (Chief Advisor to the President of Republic of Turkiye)

• Prof. Dr. Halit Eren, Former Director General of IRCICA (Research Centre for Islamic History, Art and Culture) with the theme “Osmanlıdan Günümüze Balkanlarda Vakıf Müessesesi (Waqf Institution in the Balkans from the Ottomans to the Present)”

• Prof. Mohammad Nuh (Chairman of Badan Wakaf Indonesia / Endonezya Badan Wakaf Başkanı with the theme “New Era: Waqf Ecosystem Development in Indonesia” (“Yeni Dönem: Endonezya’da Vakıf Ekosisteminin Gelişimi”)

• Zeinoul Abedien Cajee, Co-Founder/ Patron Trustee/ Immediate past CEO of National Awqaf Foundation of South Africa (AWQAF SA), South Africa / Güney Afrika Ulusal Evkaf Vakfı (AWQAF SA)’nın Kurucu Ortağı/ Mütevelli Heyeti Başkanı with the theme “The Philosophical and Ideological Underpinnings of Waqf” (“Vakfın Felsefi ve İdeolojik Temelleri”)

• Masagoes Muhammad Isyak, Chief Executive Officer of Warees Investments, Singapore / Warees Investments CEO’su Singapura with the theme “Waqf Development and Management – The Singapore Experience” (“Vakıf Geliştirme ve Yönetimi – Singapur Deneyimi”).

Second Practitioner Session (İkinci Uygulamacı Oturumu)

Moderator: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bulut and featuring the following speakers:

• Dato’ Sr Dr. Mohd Mazlan Che Mat with the theme “Real Estate Development of Waqf Land as Strategic Solution in Alleviating Poverty” (“Yoksulluğu Azaltmada Stratejik Çözüm Olarak Vakıf Arazilerinin Gayrimenkul Gelişimi”)

• Mehmood Arshad with the theme “Takaful Wakala Waqf Model: The best way to mitigate the risk” (“Tekafül Vekalet Vakfı Modeli: Riski azaltmanın en iyi yolu”)

• Zulkifli Ishak with the theme “Waqf Investment: A Case Study of Waqf-Featured Fund by Kenanga Investors Group” (“Vakıf Yatırımı: Kenanga Investors Group’un Vakıf Özellikli Fonuna İlişkin Örnek Olay İncelemesi”)

The event also featured parallel sessions on compelling and current themes in the field of waqf, including:

• Innovative Approaches in Awqaf

• Digitalization in Awqaf

• Waqf and Technology

• Waqf in Healthcare and Environmental Services

Author: AFR