To combat poverty by the technology and support the Awqaf industry
The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), represented by its president Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar, and the Awqaf New Zealand (Awqaf NZ), represented by its secretary general Husain Benyounis, signed, yesterday night, a Memorandum of Understanding. The two sides, ASTF and Awqaf NZ will establish the Global Awqaf Research Centre "GARC". The announcement was made this global event in a press conference held yesterday at the Dubai World Trade Center.
Awqaf Research Centre, "Sacrificial online" and Technology for poor
In this context, Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar, President of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) declared that: we're delighted to our partner Awqaf New Zealand, especially since the Awqaf "endowments" has played a pivotal role in the sustainable development in the Arab and Muslin countries. We will achieve the establishment of the Global Awqaf Research Centre "GARC", within 3 months from the date of the signing of the MoU 'Memorandum of Understanding". The main office of the GARC will be located in Auckland, New Zealand with an office in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. GARC will develop Awqaf models technology for the poor that can be easily shared and implemented by the needy communities and improve their living conditions as well as the issues of funds associated with the endowments. How to employ the technology in order to achieve the sustainable development in the Arab and Islamic societies, especially poor ones, among these issues, the issue of Sacrifice "Adahi" offered by the Muslims across the world, specifically in the Muslin communities in the Western countries, via the Internet, known as the "sacrificial online", and how to benefit majority of the returns project for sacrifices in New Zealand and employ these funds to upgrade the poor and needy in the Arab and Islamic countries. This global project will link the Muslims and philanthropists in the Western societies with their brothers in the Arab and Muslin countries, which can generally be called "Endowments -Awqaf- industry".
Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar added that we are recognized and appreciated the positive role of Awqaf New Zealand, to serve the Arab and Muslim societies, the partnership between ASTF and Awqaf NZ will promote the Awqaf programs in the region, and how to employ them to achieve the development goals. The Global Awqaf Research Centre "GARC" will provide the range of research services to researchers and organization, covering the areas of: provide accurate and up to date Awqaf statistical information data anywhere in the world, carry specialized Awqaf survey globally, provide simple and productive business, management and administration Awqaf models, by using the scientific research and technological innovation as tools to achieve those purposes.
Poor and socio-economic aspects of Awqaf
From its part, Eng. Husain Benyounis, the secretary general of the Awqaf New Zealand, located in Auckland City, said that the prestige and reputation of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), to serve the sustainable development in the Arab countries, especially poor ones, which suffer from exceptional circumstances, encouraged us to cooperate with ASTF in this project. In addition to the successful management of ASTF for its program of Scientific and Technological Waqf "endowment", that launched several years ago.
Husain Benyounis stressed that the Global Awqaf Research Centre "GARC" would not come within the scope of its researches, the religious issues or Fatwa, but only the matters relating to aspects of development and financial dimensions of endowments, and how to use them to serve the poor. In summary, the Global Awqaf Research Centre "GARC" will focus on the socio-economic aspects of development, how to combat the poverty through employment the technology "Technology For Poor", strengthen the partnership between the charitable organizations, to maximize the benefits obtained by the poor and needy communities benefiting from Awqaf. This GARC will work to strengthen it's the charitable organizations and foundations relevant in the Western societies, to achieve the public interest. The GAR will be independent, civil personality, non-governmental, respect the rules of responsibility, transparency, and will exchange information with counterparts, while respecting the rules of confidentiality and intellectual property.
He added that among the areas of interest of the GARC: link Awqaf resources between Awqaf organizations, provide information on how to establish Masraf "Bank" Al Awqaf in each country and a global Masraf "Bank" Al Awqaf, organize Annual Awqaf International conference (not related to Fatwa or religious issues), encourage and foster state of the art research methods in the Awqaf Industry, Offer International Awqaf Awards in different categories, strengthen the capacity of the Awqaf organizations, and apply & develop technology for the poor and preserve their natural heritage including protecting their native environment through scientific means.
Participants in the event
It is worthy to mention that Dr. Sami Mohammed Al Salahat consultant of studies and relations government managing the development of Awaqf and Minors Affaire, Government of Dubai; Mohammed Al Madhari director of operations, Gulf Region, Awaqf New Zealand, and Nadhal Juma, Director of Investment and Trade of the Middle East and North Africa, New Zealand Foundation for Trade and Enterprises; and Nabil Abdel Rahman Al Terkait Deputy Director General of the direct Aid Society - Committee Muslims of Africa, attended the press conference.
© Press Release 2012
