(FEB NEWS) CENTER OF ISLAMIC SOCIAL FINANCE INTELLIGENCE in collaboration with the Department of Sharia Economics, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Airlangga (FEB UNAIR) held a Guest Lecture themed Contemporary Issues of Zakat and Waqf on Tuesday (12/23/2025) in Room 202, 2nd Floor, FEB UNAIR. This activity presented Prof. Dr. H. Waryono Abdul Ghafur, M.Ag., Director of Zakat and Waqf Empowerment, Ministry of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, with the main target of Master and Doctoral students of Islamic Economics and the academic community of the Department of Sharia Economics, FEB UNAIR in order to increase access to quality education in the field of Islamic philanthropy.
In his presentation, Prof. Waryono highlighted the current challenges facing zakat and waqf management in Indonesia, which still faces a gap between the significant potential for religious social funds and the resulting welfare impact. He emphasized that future zakat and waqf management should not be solely focused on fundraising but must also be directed toward creating measurable and sustainable social and economic impact.
Furthermore, Prof. Waryono explained the importance of strengthening zakat and waqf governance through professionalization of amil and nazhir (colassistant professors of zakat), increased institutional capacity, and the application of principles of transparency and public accountability. He argued that managing productive waqf requires a mature risk management approach to ensure the growth of waqf assets without compromising their core values and social purpose.
Beyond institutional aspects, this guest lecture also emphasized the strategic role of zakat and waqf as instruments for community empowerment. Through targeted management, zakat and waqf are considered capable of expanding access to education, supporting healthcare services, and strengthening the economic resilience of vulnerable groups. This understanding is crucial for students as future academics and practitioners of Islamic economics, enabling them to design Islamic philanthropic programs with long-term impact.
Through this activity, FEB UNAIR strengthens its commitment to providing quality education that is responsive to contemporary issues in Islamic economics. This guest lecture on zakat and waqf is planned to be part of an ongoing academic agenda to encourage ongoing collaboration between universities, regulators, and practitioners, while also preparing competent human resources in professional zakat and waqf management oriented towards community welfare.