The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), represented by its Department of Humanitarian Affairs, in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has concluded a roundtable on Islamic Philanthropy: Zakat, Sadaqah, and Waqf for Early Recovery, Inclusion, and Sustainable Development in Riyadh.
The event discussed the role of Islamic social finance in strengthening humanitarian response, supporting socioeconomic recovery, and achieving sustainable development for the most vulnerable populations and communities.
The roundtable highlighted new and innovative frameworks for cooperation between the OIC, UNDP, and the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, focusing on building institutional partnerships, exchanging knowledge and successful experiences, and developing initiatives targeting vulnerable communities.
Representing the General Secretariat at the meeting and the signing ceremony for the accompanying cooperation agreements, Dr Aisha Al-Ayafi, Director of Humanitarian Affairs at the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, emphasised the importance of developing Islamic charitable tools.
She explained that zakat, sadaqah, and waqf are fundamental pillars for enhancing resilience and achieving sustainable development, and that deepening institutional partnerships will contribute to maximising the impact of these tools for the benefit of the most vulnerable groups.
The OIC also reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to expanding cooperation with international and regional partners to solidify the role of Islamic social finance as a key driver of recovery, development, and the preservation of human dignity in all member states.