Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh.
 

In the name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful. All praises is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds - The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful, Sovereign of the Day of Recompose. It is You we worship and You we ask for help. Guide us to the straight path - the path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked (Your) anger or of those who are astray. Ameen.

Waqaf in Turkey plays an important role in supporting many sectors of the country especially in the health and education sector. The tradition of waqaf in Turkey started during the Ottoman period, during which waqaf numbered in the thousands. During the Ottoman period, waqaf was divided into two. In the form of a cash waqaf and property waqaf. Waqaf was the backbone for socioeconomic development during the Ottoman period. This also shows the society's general awareness towards waqaf is very strong.

The society's general awareness did not deteriorated but in fact gained greater appreciation. When the Republic of Turkey replaced the Ottoman Empire, it established the Waqaf General Directorate. It aimed to follow up on all jobs that existed during the Ottoman period. This institution is directly responsible to the prime minister.

Various regulations on waqaf were accommodated under Turkey civil law. There are four waqaf regulations. First, a waqaf must have an executive board. Secondly, it is to be supervised by the Waqaf General Director. Thirdly, a waqaf must be audited a minimum of once every two years. And fourthly, the Waqaf General Director as a supervisor and an auditor has the right to obtain 5% from waqaf net income.

In 1987, waqaf managed by a Waqaf General Director were comprised of 4,400 mosques, 5,348 shops, 2,254 apartments, and other types, such as in the form of facilitating health, free dormitories for students, and others. Moreover, the socialization of waqaf to the general public continued to increase individuals' awareness to donate more waqaf.

Masyaallah. The beauty of the public's general awareness on waqaf in Turkey really brings so much beneficial to that Muslim country as a whole. May Allah s.w.t. bless those people who gave their wealth for the sake of the religion. Ameen.