The Wakaf Trainer Scheme (WTS), Wakaf Incubation Mode (WIM), and Wakaf Ambassadorship Programme (WAP)
Introduction
Wakaf, an Islamic endowment that plays a significant role in fostering socio-economic growth, has long been a pillar of the Muslim community. The effective management and expansion of Wakaf assets are crucial for sustainable community development, especially in Singapore, where the Muslim community continues to evolve in its socio-economic needs. To enhance the efficiency of Wakaf-related programmes and drive community-wide adoption, the Wakaf Trainer Scheme (WTS), Wakaf Incubation Mode (WIM), and Wakaf Ambassadorship Programme (WAP) have been meticulously developed.
These initiatives focus on professionalizing Wakaf management, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating community ambassadors to ensure sustainable growth and alignment with Islamic principles. This blog post outlines these innovative programmes in detail, to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding their application, benefits, and long-term impact.
Wakaf Trainer Scheme (WTS)
Overview
The Wakaf Trainer Scheme (WTS) is designed to cultivate a network of trained professionals who are well-versed in Wakaf administration and Islamic legacy planning. This scheme targets both secular and Islamic educational platforms to disseminate information about Wakaf effectively to the community. By partnering with Malay-Muslim organizations like MENDAKI and community centers managed by MESRA, WTS aims to reach diverse audiences through tailored courses.
Key Features
- Bifurcation of Trainers: Trainers under WTS are divided into two main categories:
- Secular Courses: These include general skills like reading classes, Zumba, and other community-driven initiatives. Trainers from these fields will help introduce the concept of Wakaf as part of community engagement.
- Islamic Courses: These include traditional Islamic teachings, such as Kelas Mengaji (Quranic classes) and Arabic conversational language classes. Trainers from these fields will integrate Islamic legacy principles, ensuring that the educational framework remains in line with Islamic values.
- Ambassadorial Role: Trainers in both categories are not merely educators but also serve as Wakaf Ambassadors, disseminating knowledge about Wakaf, its benefits, and how individuals can engage with it. Each trainer is equipped to communicate Wakaf’s role in community-building during classes, workshops, and events.
- Revenue Sharing: The WTS also introduces a revenue-sharing model, where trainers receive 65% of the revenue generated from classes held on Wakaf properties, while the remaining 35% contributes directly to the sustainable management of these properties. This creates an incentive for trainers to promote and hold more classes, further embedding Wakaf into community life.
- Long-Term Impact: By fostering a consistent pool of trained individuals, the Wakaf Trainer Scheme ensures that knowledge about Wakaf, both in practice and theory, remains accessible and widely distributed across all segments of the community. Trainers become vital touchpoints for reinforcing the significance of Wakaf in everyday community activities.
Wakaf Incubation Mode (WIM)
Overview
The Wakaf Incubation Mode (WIM) is an innovative initiative aimed at supporting budding entrepreneurs within the community by leveraging Wakaf properties as incubation hubs. This model aligns with Islamic financial principles and offers entrepreneurs a chance to start and grow their businesses in an Islamic-compliant environment without the burden of high commercial rental costs.
Key Features
- Business Incubation: Wakaf properties are repurposed as incubation hubs, offering short-term leases (typically 5-8 years) to businesses. Entrepreneurs are given the opportunity to test and develop their business ideas in a supportive environment that promotes growth and financial stability. This short-term lease ensures that the properties remain incubators rather than long-term commercial holdings, preventing monopolization.
- No-Interest Financing: In keeping with Islamic principles, the Wakaf Incubation Mode provides facility upgrades to tenants without riba (interest). Wakaf funds are used to cover initial costs like infrastructure improvements, with tenants repaying the costs over time through their rental agreements.
- Partnerships with Experts: The success of WIM is driven by partnerships with organizations such as the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI) and Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). These ambassadors offer expert business advice, mentoring, and business proposal assessments to ensure that the tenants’ projects are aligned with community values and have strong growth potential.
- Exit Strategy: The fixed lease terms ensure that businesses exit the incubation model prepared for market-driven competition. Entrepreneurs graduate from WIM with fully developed business models, allowing for a natural transition to commercial spaces.
- Community Impact: WIM serves as a critical resource for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By providing access to affordable business spaces and support structures, the scheme cultivates a new generation of Muslim business leaders who contribute to the economic sustainability of the community while aligning with Islamic values.
Wakaf Ambassadorship Programme (WAP) – Wakaf Certification
Overview
The Wakaf Ambassadorship Programme (WAP) is an essential pillar for community engagement. WAP certifies individuals, trainers, and business leaders as official Wakaf Ambassadors, who then serve as key communicators of Wakaf values and Islamic legacy planning principles to the broader public.
Key Features
- Certification Programme: The WAP Certification is a structured, one-day course designed to equip participants with a thorough understanding of Wakaf principles, Islamic legacy planning (such as faraid, wasiat, and CPF nominations), and the practical applications of Wakaf assets within the community. Certification is renewed every three months to ensure that ambassadors stay current with any updates to Wakaf policies and community needs.
- Ambassador Network: Certified Wakaf Ambassadors form a network of informed individuals who actively engage with their communities, providing insights into Wakaf initiatives. This network is empowered to reach out through events, social media platforms, and direct consultations, making Wakaf initiatives more accessible and comprehensible to all segments of society.
- Strategic Partnerships: The WAP emphasizes the use of strategic partnerships with organizations like AMP, MENDAKI, and MESRA, where ambassadors can disseminate information about Wakaf at high-traffic community events, religious ceremonies, and even online platforms. This allows Wakaf to remain visible and relevant across various community touchpoints without straining organizational resources.
- Public Engagement: Certified ambassadors participate in public forums, community booths, and large-scale events to educate the public on Wakaf and its benefits. Ambassadors are also tasked with promoting the Wakaf Incubation Mode, encouraging young entrepreneurs and businesses to explore Wakaf-supported ventures.
- Impact Measurement: To ensure the success of the programme, key performance indicators (KPIs) such as the number of certified ambassadors, event participation rates, and community engagement metrics are tracked. This ensures that the WAP evolves in response to the community’s needs and provides measurable outcomes for MUIS and other stakeholders.
Disclaimer
The concepts and initiatives detailed in this blog, including but not limited to the Wakaf Trainer Scheme (WTS), Wakaf Incubation Mode (WIM), and Wakaf Ambassadorship Programme (WAP), are the original intellectual property of the author. These ideas were officially presented to MUIS Wakaf Community Funds Development heads on 26 September 2024 during an application for the Community Funds Development role at MUIS, 277 Braddell Road, at 2:30pm.
Any unauthorised use, reproduction, or adaptation of these concepts without explicit written permission from the author constitutes a violation of the Singapore Trade Marks Act (Cap. 332, Rev. Ed. 2005) and the Singapore Copyright Act (Cap. 63, 2021).