Manama, May 28 (BNA): Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA), commended the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for the Islamic endowment sector, describing it as a key pillar of the Kingdom’s comprehensive development process and a socially rooted economic foundation in the Islamic world.

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed emphasised that His Majesty’s support embodies a forward-looking vision to institutionalise endowment practices and ensure their long-term sustainability within charitable and developmental frameworks. He also highlighted the government’s efforts, led by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in advancing and modernising endowment institutions, to reinforce Bahrain’s position as a distinguished model for sustainable humanitarian work.

This came during the opening of the Conference on Innovation Strategies in Islamic Endowment and Sustainable Development, held and organised by the Global Centre for Sustainable Development and the Regional Network for Social Responsibility. The two-day event brings together a distinguished group of scholars and experts from across the Islamic world.

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed underscored the values embodied in Islamic endowment, including sustainable giving and social solidarity, particularly in light of current economic and social challenges. He underscored the importance of developing the endowment framework in line with sustainable development principles by promoting governance, transparency, and innovative investment tools that comply with Sharia objectives and modern demands.

Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed also called for enhancing collaboration between endowment bodies and both public and private sectors, along with updated legislation to enable endowments in supporting development.

The opening ceremony featured a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by Shaikh Abdullah Janahi, followed by an address from Dr. Abdulatif Mahmoud Al Mahmoud, member of SCIA, who outlined the importance of endowment in Islamic law and Bahrain’s longstanding interest in regulating and institutionalising it since the early 20th century. He encouraged the use of modern technologies to advance and manage endowments more effectively.

Professor Yousif Abdulghaffar Al Abbasi, Chairman of both the Global Centre for Sustainable Development and the Regional Network for Social Responsibility, noted that the conference is timely, given the growing need for authentic, sustainable development tools. He described the Islamic endowment as a dynamic civilisational, social, and economic mechanism capable of adapting to contemporary changes while maintaining its charitable essence.

He also reviewed historic examples of impactful endowment practices in the Islamic world, such as educational institutions, libraries, hospitals, and projects supporting food, housing, and water access, all operated through institutional mechanisms that served societal stability, social cohesion, and equitable development.

The conference will explore the use of technology and innovation in managing and financing endowments, the contribution of endowments to the sustainable development agenda, the integration of Islamic finance tools, and frameworks to strengthen governance and public-private partnerships in the endowment sector.

Z.H, م.ا.ف, s.a