By Tengku Nursharina Tengku Amri
Pictures by Ikhwan Hashim

BANGI, 6 December 2016 – More educational institutions are using waqf to fund their development, said Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Center of Waqf and Endowment Management Director, Dr Razali Othman.

The common perception on waqf, should be reconstituted as it can actually be utilised to help develop facilities for universities and fund some projects which will benefit the community.

“Many people think when it is called waqf, it is related to cemeteries and mosques. Actually, it encompassed many areas, and may include land areas for the purpose of developing learning institutions or public facilities which may benefit the community,” he added.

He said UPM has been utilising the the UPM Waqf Fund to acknowledge contributions from individuals, corporate sectors, cooperatives and non-governmental organizations.

“In addition, any returns gained from development project, plantations, industrial projects and returns from portfolios which are utilised to fund infrastructures and a university’s long term plan, can be considered as waqf,” he explained.

Also present at the lecture were UKM Deputy Vice Chancellor of International and Academic Affairs, Prof. Dato’ Ir. Dr. Riza Atiq Abdullah OK Rahmat and UKM Yayasan Canselor Director, Ahmad Zakie Ahmad Sharif.