This workshop aims to trace processes of connectivity and transformation of the Muslim endowment known as the “waqf” in Asia in both historical and contemporary contexts. As a legal institution, the waqf refers to the alienation of revenue-generating property with the principal remaining inalienable, while its revenues are disbursed for a pious purpose in order to seek God’s favor explicitly. In practice, the waqf is a highly complicated institution which has taken various forms ranging from private homes, cemeteries, libraries, mosques, schools, to agricultural farms, medical dispensaries, hospitals and commercial businesses. In other words, the waqf has become a flexible institution manifested in myriad guises, situated within different pre-colonial, colonial, post-colonial, socialist and post-socialist contexts in Central Asia, East Asia, West Asia (including the Middle East), South Asia and Southeast Asia. This workshop seeks to bring together scholars of waqfs in order to discuss circulations between these different contexts and to work towards a comparative analysis of the waqf across reified regional boundaries.
REGISTRATION
Admission is free, and seats are available on a first come, first served basis. Please email to minghua.tay@nus.edu.sg to indicate your interest to attend the workshop.
CONTACT DETAILS
Convenors
Dr Amelia Fauzia
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
E | ariaf@nus.edu.sg
Dr Till Mostowlansky
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
E | arimtill@nus.edu.sg
Dr Nurfadzilah Yahaya
Department of History, National University of Singapore
E | yahaya@nus.edu.sg
Secretariat
Ms TAY Minghua
Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore
E | minghua.tay@nus.edu.sg
