Waqf Forests Around The World

Waqf and forests are vital instruments for human civilization. Forests, which form the heart of ecological sustainability, must be preserved to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and nature. Meanwhile, waqf is a form of philanthropy based on Islamic economics that emphasizes sustainability and well-being, which can be harnessed for the benefit of humanity.

In this era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, people are increasingly relying on fossil fuels to streamline the production of goods, at the expense of forests—from clearing land for industrial use to the extraction of fossil resources—which is leading to an ecological crisis.

Algeria’s Waqf Forest

Africa is known for its savannas, which are located within tropical rainforests. In addition, the continent boasts a diversity of flora and fauna not found on any other continent. Historically, Africa was part of the Ottoman Empire, which successfully spread the concept of waqf as a Sharia-based economic system through the construction of properties primarily aimed at improving the welfare of the community; this region is now known as Algeria.

One type of waqf property that was promoted during that period was forest land designated for conservation and the preservation of the local ecosystem. With the onset of the French colonial era, most waqf properties were rezoned through policies aimed at reducing the influence of the waqf system at that time. After independence in 1962, the Algerian government sought to gather documents and reclaim properties that had been acquired by French colonialism.

The Algerian government has successfully inventoried the recovery of waqf documents and properties. A total of 10,000 properties across various categories, including forests and oases, have been identified. These waqf forests and oases play a role in providing ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and water cycle regulation, all of which contribute to environmental conservation. 

Bangladesh Waqf Forest

The existence of waqf forests in Bangladesh plays a vital role in the development of the existing welfare system. There are a total of 150,593 waqf properties, including 123,006 waqf mosques. However, only 15,300 are officially registered with the government. Given the minimal amount of waqf data currently held by the government, legal and regulatory reforms are necessary to improve the management, organization, and administration of waqf properties.

This is because history records that Bangladesh has a tradition of waqf dating back to the Mughal period, with most of the proceeds derived from the management of mosques, madrasas, and religious social organizations. The waqf forests in Bangladesh can be traced to the diverse types of waqf properties in the agricultural sector, including both cultivable and non-cultivable land. In essence, agricultural land is property managed under the waqf concept. This indicates that arable farmland serves as a source of economic empowerment for the people of Bangladesh, while non-arable agricultural land functions as a site for ecosystem conservation.

Bosnian Waqf Forest

In Europe, specifically in Bosnia, there is a long tradition of waqf practices dating back to the era of Ottoman rule between 1463 and 1878. One of the key figures in the development of waqf during that time was Gazi Husrev, a governor during the Ottoman period in Bosnia. Bosnia not only introduced but also developed a waqf system for the public good, encompassing assets such as land and forests that were utilized to support the welfare of the Bosnian people, particularly through the religious, educational, and cultural sectors.

However, the progress of this waqf system began to stall when power shifted to the Habsburg Monarchy, which imposed new regulations. Regulations intended to govern the system were instead misused for administrative purposes that deviated from the original purpose of the waqf. This situation worsened following the outbreak of World War I in 1918. When Bosnia joined the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, the religious authority of the Muslim community weakened further, and many waqf properties were confiscated by the state.

Entering the post-conflict era, specifically following the Bosnian War (1992–1995), the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as the representative body of the Muslim community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, sought to recover waqf assets that had been confiscated. One strategic step taken was to propose a special draft law on waqf. From this, it is evident that the political and social dynamics of each governing period significantly influence the existence of waqf as an instrument for the welfare of the community. Therefore, the management of Waqf Forests—which serve as a central source of benefits for the community—must be shielded from practices that benefit only a select few.

Penulis : Tobroni