Hosted by

Muslim Board of Uzbekistan

VAQF Charity Public Foundation

2026

Centre for Islamic Civilization illuminated at night, Tashkent

Bukhara skyline at sunset with the Kalyan Minaret

Kalyan Minaret and the Po-i-Kalyan ensemble, Bukhara

Kalta Minor Minaret in Itchan Kala, Khiva

Tashkent Centre for Islamic Civilization · Conference venue

14th GlobalWaqfConference

17–19 November 2026

Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Conference theme

Reimagining Waqf and Islamic Social Finance: Governance, Policy, Standards, Innovation, and Global Pathways to Sustainable Development

Event Highlight

Pre- and Post-Conference Events

Language: English

Round Table Discussion

Conference Fee: USD 50Non-student, physical attendance

Signing of Collaboration Agreements / MoU

About GWC 2026

The 14th GWC in Uzbekistan

The Global Waqf Conference brings together scholars, regulators, waqf institutions and practitioners to examine how waqf and Islamic social finance can be governed, standardised and developed as instruments for sustainable development.

The 14th edition is hosted in Uzbekistan across two historic cities, Tashkent and Samarkand, with plenary sessions, a round table discussion, pre- and post-conference events, and the signing of collaboration agreements between participating institutions. It continues a series that began in Kuala Lumpur in 2013.

Tentative programme About the GWC Series Explore attractions

Dates: 17–19 November 2026
Venue: Tashkent and Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Language: English
Fee: USD 50 (non-student, physical)
Participation: By invitation

Five pillars of the theme

What the conference will address

Governance

Trusteeship (mutawalli) accountability, institutional structures and oversight of waqf assets.

Policy

National waqf policy, legal frameworks and the role of the state in Islamic social finance.

Standards

Shariah, accounting and reporting standards for waqf institutions across jurisdictions.

Innovation

New waqf instruments, digital platforms and integration with Islamic finance products.

Global Pathways to Sustainable Development

Waqf and Islamic social finance as contributors to the SDGs and cross-border cooperation.

Participation

By invitation only

The 14th Global Waqf Conference is a closed-participation event. Attendance is by invitation from the organisers, and there is no open call for papers or public registration.

Invited delegates

Conference sessions in Tashkent and Samarkand
Round table discussion and pre- and post-conference events
Collaboration agreement / MoU signing sessions

Confirming your attendance

Reply to the invitation you received from the organisers.
Pay the conference fee to the account below.
For any questions, write to the secretariat at globalwaqfconf@gmail.com.

Payment method

Bank transfer to iWAQF, the Main Secretariat account.

Account name: MAJLIS PERMUAFAKATAN WAKAF ANTARABANGSA (IWAQF)
Bank: Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad
Account no.: 12300010007924

Host:

Main Secretariat:

Partner:

For More Information globalwaqfconf@gmail.com globalwaqfconference.com

Program Event

Conference programme

Main sessions at the Bukhari Grand Hotel, Samarkand, 17–19 November 2026: the welcoming dinner and agreement signing, the main conference day with four panel sessions and the closing ceremony, and a visit to historic waqf sites in Samarkand.

Updated 30 October 2026 · subject to change

17 Nov · TuesdayWelcoming dinner and agreement signing

18 Nov · WednesdayOpening, four panel sessions, closing and gala dinner

19 Nov · ThursdayWaqf site visit in Samarkand and departure

Day 117NovTuesdayBukhari Grand Hotel

Welcoming dinner and Collaboration Agreement signing

6:00 PMWelcoming dinner and agreement signing at the Bukhari Grand Hotel, SamarkandRecitation of Du’a / Quran; welcoming remarks by the Host and by the Chairman / Convenor of the 14th GWC.
Signing of the Collaboration Agreement between GWC–iWAQF, the Public Charity Foundation, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and IIUM, followed by a group photo.
Dinner and Talk 1Welcoming dinner for all delegates, with a presentation by the Uzbekistan representative and a video presentation on Awqaf South Africa.

Day 218NovWednesdayBukhari Grand Hotel

Main conference day

9:00 AMArrival and registration of international and local delegates
9:20 AMOpening ceremonyWelcome by the emcee; Du’a / Quran recitation; welcoming remarks by a representative of the Public Charity Foundation “Vaqf” and by Datuk Dr. Mohd Ghazali Mohd Noor; montage of the GWC series.
10:00 AMOfficiating addressOpening remarks by H.E. Eshonqulov Zayniddin Sadriddinovich, Chairman, Public Charity Foundation “Vaqf”. Officiated by H.E. Sheikh Nuriddin Kholiqnazarov, Chairman of the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan and Grand Mufti, and H.E. Sodiq Donoqulovich Toshboev, Chairman, Committee on Religious Affairs.
11:00 AMPanel Session 1 · Waqf Regulation, Policy and Governance
12:30 PMLunch break and Zohor prayer
2:00 PMPanel Session 2 · Waqf Assets Development
3:00 PMPanel Session 3 · Waqf Accounting Standards
4:30 PMPanel Session 4 · History and Development of Waqf in Central Asia
5:30 PMTea break and Maghrib prayer
6:00 PMClosing ceremonyPresentation of the GWC 2026 Resolutions and announcement of the 15th GWC by H.E. the Ambassador of Malaysia to Uzbekistan. Officiated by H.E. Sodiq Toshboev and H.E. Muzaffar Kamilov.
6:45 PMGala dinner · networking dinner for all conference delegates

Panel Session 1 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Waqf Regulation, Policy and Governance

“Towards a Comprehensive Waqf Framework: Foundations, Principles and Contemporary Imperatives”Datuk Dr. Mohd Ghazali Mohd Noor · President, iWAQF & Secretary General, World Zakat and Waqf Forum
Title to be confirmedPresenter to be confirmed · Republic of Uzbekistan
“Waqf for Nation-Building: Driving Malaysia’s Economic Growth”Mdm. Azura Azreen binti Yusof · JAWHAR, Ministry of Religious Affairs, Malaysia
“The Effectiveness of Waqf Legislation: A Study of the Foundations of Codification and the Challenges of Sustainability”Dr. Majda Ziani · Dar Al-Hadith Al-Hassania Institute, Al-Qarawiyyin University, Morocco (recorded presentation)

Panel Session 2 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Waqf Assets Development

“Waqf: A Sustainable Engine for Economic Growth”Mdm. Nur Syaffina binti Ab Rahim · Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia (YWM)
Title to be confirmedDr. Khaled bin Abdulrahman bin Sulaiman Al-Rajhi · CEO, Waqf Sulaiman Al Rajhi, Saudi Arabia
Title to be confirmedDr. Kasimov Mirjalol · Public Charity Foundation of Uzbekistan

Panel Session 3 3:00 – 4:15 PM

Waqf Accounting Standards: The Foundation in Accounting and Auditing

“Development of Islamic Accounting Standards for Baitulmal, Zakat and Wakaf (PPIBZW)”Mdm. Naharriah binti Mohamed · Accountant General’s Department of Malaysia (JANM)
“Role of Sohar Islamic in Supporting the Waqf and Charity Sectors”Mr. Abdul Aziz Masoud Al-Ghafri · Head of Awqaf, Hajj & Umrah, Sohar Islamic, Oman
“The Development of Waqf in Oman: Bousher Endowment Foundation as a Model”Sheikh Malik Hilal Al Yahmadi · Chairman, Bousher Endowment Foundation, Oman
Title to be confirmedPresenter to be confirmed · Republic of Uzbekistan

Panel Session 4 4:30 – 5:30 PM

History and Development of Waqf in Central Asia

Title to be confirmedPresenter to be confirmed · Republic of Uzbekistan
Title to be confirmedH.E. Shaikh Abdulaziz Zakirov · Grand Mufti, Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan
Title to be confirmedProf. Dr. Phil. Kamaruddin Amin · Chairman, Badan Wakaf Indonesia (BWI)

Day 319NovThursdaySamarkand

Waqf site visit and departure

8:30 AMWaqf site visit · sponsored visit to historic waqf sites in Samarkand
Lunch for all delegates after the site visit
Departure of delegates

Speakers and session titles marked “to be confirmed” will be updated by the secretariat. Times are in local time (Uzbekistan, UTC+5).

About the GWC Series

An international platform for waqf since 2013

The Global Waqf Conference Series (GWC) is a series of international conferences on waqf held every year since 2013. It began with the establishment of the former International Centre for Waqf Research (ICWR) by the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) and Yayasan Kajian dan Pembangunan Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia (YKPD).

editions, 2013 to 2026

host countries, plus two virtual editions

600+

attendees at the 7th GWC, Kuala Lumpur 2019

700+

registered for the virtual 8th GWC in 2020

One of ICWR's missions was to create an international platform for discourse on waqf development.

The first conference was held in Kuala Lumpur during the launch of ICWR, with the theme Waqf for the Economy of the Ummah. ICWR then expanded its network and worked with partners to organise the series abroad, beginning with Istanbul in 2014.

Its partnership with Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK), and later with Al-Madinah International University, iWAQF, UNITAR and universities in each host country, carried the series to Russia, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, Türkiye, Morocco and now Uzbekistan. Each edition has produced resolutions, training workshops or publications that feed back into waqf practice and policy.

MalaysiaTürkiyeRussiaUnited KingdomIndonesiaThailandPakistanMoroccoUzbekistanVirtual

Edition by edition

The GWC journey

2013

1st GWC

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Waqf for the Economy of the Ummah

Held at the launch of the International Centre for Waqf Research (ICWR).

Partners: Kuwait Awqaf Foundation, IIUM

2014

2nd GWC

Istanbul, Türkiye

Waqf Management: Turkish Experience

Co-organised with Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University and the Directorate-General of Foundations, Prime Minister's Department, Türkiye. Participants included the Muftis of Sabah and Sarawak. Resolutions called for reform of waqf management worldwide, unlocking the value of waqf property, and learning from practice in Türkiye, Indonesia and Singapore.

Partners: IIUM, Fatih Sultan Mehmet Vakif University, YKPD, Malay Chambers of Commerce

2015

3rd GWC

Moscow, Russia

Waqf, Trust and Endowment as the Third Sector of the Economy

The first international waqf conference held in the Russian Federation, co-organised with the Russian National Institute of Public Administration. It drew international researchers, leaders of other faiths and Russian students, and included a training programme on Islamic banking and finance by UNIRAZAK.

Partners: UNIRAZAK, RANEPA, YKPD, IIUM

2016

4th GWC

Swansea, United Kingdom

Waqf as a Way of Life

Positioned waqf as a tool for the development of Muslim minorities in non-Muslim countries, with speakers from Australia, New Zealand and France and a delegation from Majlis Ugama Islam Singapore (MUIS). Delegates visited Swansea's new mosque and community centre, a refurbished cathedral funded through cash waqf collected over eight years.

Partners: IIUM, UNIRAZAK, Swansea University

2017

5th GWC

Pekanbaru, Indonesia

Global Waqf Gateway: Bridging the Waqf Agenda for Nusantara

Speakers came from JAWHAR Malaysia, MUIS Singapore and the Sarawak Mufti and Waqf Authority. Three training workshops ran alongside: halal industry (INHART, IIUM), waqf governance (ICWR, IIUM) and Islamic finance (UNIRAZAK), with a visit to a waqf-run Islamic school.

Partners: STIE Riau-AKBAR Pekanbaru, IIUM, UNIRAZAK, YKPD

2018

6th GWC

Bangkok, Thailand

Waqf-Maqasid Shariah Transformation Agenda for the 4th Industrial Revolution

Jointly organised with Chulalongkorn University and the Islamic Foundation, Thailand, with Thai government agencies directly involved. Cambodia took part for the first time. The conference set out the goal of a Global Waqf Development Gateway.

Partners: Al-Madinah International University, UNIRAZAK, IIUM, YKPD

2019

7th GWC

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Global Waqf Masterplan & Waqf Development for the Millennial Generation

Led by Al-Madinah International University (MEDIU) with the Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah, as primary sponsor. A pre-conference at the MEDIU campus on 10 November was followed by the main conference at Menara Bank Rakyat on 11–12 November, attended by more than 600 delegates. GWC Resolutions were forwarded to the relevant authorities, including the government.

Partners: Al-Madinah International University, UNIRAZAK, IIUM, FINTERA

2020

8th GWC

Virtual · hosted by UNIRAZAK

Practising Waqf Directions in Every Facet of Life

A one-day virtual event on 8 December 2020 with more than 700 registered participants. Topics included waqf-linked sustainable investment, cash waqf, waqf housing, waqf and trust, and waqf and blockchain technology.

Partners: UNIRAZAK, FINTERA, IIUM

2021

9th GWC

Virtual · hosted by AIKOL, IIUM · 1–2 December

Embracing the Present and Envisaging the Future

Addressed ongoing problems in waqf management under the challenges of COVID-19, which called for fast decision-making, strategic planning and co-creation across waqf institutions.

Partners: AIKOL (IIUM), UNIRAZAK, Al-Madinah International University

2022

10th GWC

Bahawalpur, Pakistan · 2–4 December

Waqf Inclusiveness in the New Islamic and Finance Model

Held at the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, with more than 400 participants and presenters from Pakistan and abroad.

Partners: Islamia University of Bahawalpur, IIUM, FINTERA, UNIRAZAK, UNITAR, iWAQF

2023

11th GWC

Istanbul, Türkiye · 7–9 September

New Generation Waqfship

Drew participants from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Africa and Nigeria. The organising team published four volumes of papers.

Partners: Ibn Haldun University, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Ilim Yayma Vakfi, IIUM, iWAQF

2024

12th GWC

Malang, Indonesia · 24 September

Waqf as Part of Sustainable Development

Hosted by the Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Brawijaya, with 200 participants from 13 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye.

Partners: Universitas Brawijaya, iWAQF, IIUM, UNIRAZAK, UNITAR, FINTERA

2025

13th GWC

Morocco · 25–27 November

Reengineering the Waqf Ecosystem: Governance Innovations for Institutional Resilience and Adaptability

Host: Darul Hadis Al Hassaniyyah University

2026

14th GWC

Tashkent & Samarkand, Uzbekistan · 17–19 November

Reimagining Waqf and Islamic Social Finance: Governance, Policy, Standards, Innovation, and Global Pathways to Sustainable Development

Hosts: Muslim Board of Uzbekistan, Vaqf Xayriya Jamoat Fondi · Main Secretariat: IIUM, iWAQF, UNIRAZAK, UNITAR, Al-Madinah International University, USIM, Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia · Partners: Embassy of Malaysia in Tashkent, JAWHAR, World Zakat & Waqf Forum, Awqaf SA

Reference

Yearly themes at a glance

Year	Series	Place	Theme
2013	1st GWC	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Waqf for the Economy of the Ummah
2014	2nd GWC	Istanbul, Türkiye	Waqf Management: Turkish Experience
2015	3rd GWC	Moscow, Russia	Waqf, Trust and Endowment as the Third Sector of the Economy
2016	4th GWC	Swansea, United Kingdom	Waqf as a Way of Life
2017	5th GWC	Pekanbaru, Indonesia	Global Waqf Gateway: Bridging the Waqf Agenda for Nusantara
2018	6th GWC	Bangkok, Thailand	Waqf-Maqasid Shariah Transformation Agenda for the 4th Industrial Revolution
2019	7th GWC	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia	Global Waqf Masterplan & Waqf Development for the Millennial Generation
2020	8th GWC	Virtual (UNIRAZAK)	Practising Waqf Directions in Every Facet of Life
2021	9th GWC	Virtual (AIKOL, IIUM)	Embracing the Present and Envisaging the Future
2022	10th GWC	Bahawalpur, Pakistan	Waqf Inclusiveness in the New Islamic and Finance Model
2023	11th GWC	Istanbul, Türkiye	New Generation Waqfship
2024	12th GWC	Malang, Indonesia	Waqf as Part of Sustainable Development
2025	13th GWC	Morocco	Reengineering the Waqf Ecosystem: Governance Innovations for Institutional Resilience and Adaptability
2026	14th GWC	Tashkent & Samarkand, Uzbekistan	Reimagining Waqf and Islamic Social Finance: Governance, Policy, Standards, Innovation, and Global Pathways to Sustainable Development

See GWC 2026 Contact the secretariat

Attractions

Explore Uzbekistan

GWC 2026 takes place in Tashkent and Samarkand. These heritage sites, in the conference cities and along the Silk Road beyond them, are worth seeing before or after the conference.

TashkentConference city

SamarkandConference city

BukharaUNESCO World Heritage Site

KhivaUNESCO World Heritage Site

TermezSurkhandarya region

Tashkent

Conference city

The capital of Uzbekistan and the opening city of GWC 2026.

Centre for Islamic Civilization at night, aerial view of its turquoise dome

Illuminated main facade of the Centre for Islamic Civilization

Centre for Islamic Civilization reflected on the wet square at night

Tashkent

Centre for Islamic Civilization in Uzbekistan

A new national landmark beside the Hazrati Imam complex, with exhibitions on the Islamic scholarly and cultural heritage of the region beneath a great turquoise dome.

Hazrati Imam complex, Tashkent

Barakhan Madrasa

A 16th-century madrasa with twin turquoise domes, part of the Hazrati Imam ensemble in the old city.

Samarkand

Conference city

Samarkand, Crossroads of Cultures, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second conference city.

Samarkand

Registan Square

Three madrasas, Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori, frame the city’s historic central square, which is lit up in the evenings.

Bukhara

UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Historic Centre of Bukhara holds more than a thousand years of mosques, madrasas and caravan trade.

Bukhara skyline at sunset with the Kalyan Minaret and turquoise domes

Kalyan Minaret and the Po-i-Kalyan ensemble from above

Mir-i-Arab Madrasa and the Kalyan Minaret by day

Bukhara

Po-i-Kalyan Ensemble

The 12th-century Kalyan Minaret stands between the Kalyan Mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, a working madrasa with two turquoise domes.

Bukhara

Ark of Bukhara

The massive walled fortress that served as the residence of Bukhara’s rulers for centuries.

Khiva

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Itchan Kala, the walled inner town of Khiva, is a complete Central Asian old city of mud-brick walls, minarets and madrasas.

Kalta Minor Minaret beside the Muhammad Amin Khan Madrasa

Itchan Kala, Khiva

Kalta Minor Minaret

A wide, unfinished minaret from the 1850s covered in bands of glazed turquoise tilework.

Khiva

Itchan Kala

The walled inner city, best seen from its ramparts at sunset with the Kalta Minor and Islam Khodja minarets glowing.

Termez

Surkhandarya region

Termez, on the Amu Darya in the far south, is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and home of the scholar Imam at-Tirmidhi.

Sherabad, near Termez

Imam at-Termizi Memorial Complex

The resting place of Imam Abu Isa at-Tirmidhi, compiler of one of the six canonical hadith collections.

Kokildor-ota Khanaka, brick portal and dome

Termez

Kokildor-ota Khanaka

A 16th-century khanaka of plain brick with a monumental portal and a broad dome.

Sultan Saodat ensemble with its portal and domed chambers

Domed brick building among flowers at Sultan Saodat

Termez

Sultan Saodat Ensemble

A row of domed mausolea of the Termez sayyids, built and extended over several centuries.

Termez

Underground Chillakhona

An underground cell cut into the earth, used for seclusion and prayer.

Visits to these sites are not part of the conference programme unless announced by the secretariat. Details of pre- and post-conference events will be shared with invited delegates.