PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF AWQAF IN BANGLADESH A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE – Muhammad Fazlul Karim

PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF AWQAF IN BANGLADESH A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE – Muhammad Fazlul Karim

Abstract

As experienced often by the non-philanthropic and other corporate organizations the awaqf in Bangladesh also experience problems and enjoy prospects all the way through their operation and management. Unlike those non-philanthropic and other corporate organizations, however, the Bangladesh awaqf own a huge amount of underutilized national asset, which has the potential to contribute immensely to the overall socio economic development of the country. This paper shares and explores the current status of the awqaf sector in Bangladesh from socio-legal perspective and underlines the areas that need a fresh look for revitalization and utilization of awqaf. The paper primarily argues, among others, that the assets held by the Bangladesh awaqf could be utilized more efficiently to bring out the poor segment of the population out of the ocean of poverty. And this can be done by bringing in the necessary changes in the administration and management of awqaf in order to make it suitable to the present day need. The paper recommends, among others, that empowering the poor through waqf based on various Islamic finances, and not by donation grants, thereby making the poor segments of the society an integral part of the development process should be the primary goal of the Waqf Administration in the country. The paper comes with some more specific suggestions and recommendations that deserve serious consideration for the development of awqaf in the country.  

 Keywords: Problems, prospects, Awaqf, Bangladesh, socio-legal perspective, and Waqfs Ordinance1962.