مستخدم:Awqafriyadah/ملعب

Endowments in Saudi Arabia:

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is considered one of the leading countries in endowment management. It houses some of the oldest endowments in the Islamic world, both in terms of quantity and financial value . This accumulation of endowments has been ongoing for decades, especially in Makkah and Madinah. The official authorities in Saudi Arabia oversee and regulate the endowment sector.

The total number of registered endowments in Saudi Arabia is 33,229, encompassing various fields, including charitable, social, scientific, and humanitarian activities.

History of Endowments in Saudi Arabia:

The history of endowments in Saudi Arabia has experienced periods of growth and decline, shaped by political, economic, and social circumstances, similar to other Muslim countries.

The Systematic Evolution Stages of Endowments in Saudi Arabia :

• Establishment of the Ministry of Hajj and Endowments (currently the Ministry of Hajj)
• In 1386 AH (1966) , the issuance of the regulation for the Higher Council for Endowments.
• In 1393 AH (1973 ), the issuance of the regulation for organizing charitable endowments.
• In 1414  AH (1994), the issuance of the royal decree for the establishment of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah, and Guidance.
• In 1431 AH(2010), the establishment of the General Authority of Endowments and the abolishment of the agency of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Endowments, Da'wah, and Guidance for endowment affairs.
• In 1437 AH( 2016) , the issuance of the regulation for the General Authority of Endowments."

Entities Regulating Endowments:

The official entities responsible for overseeing and regulating the endowment sector in Saudi Arabia include the General Authority for Endowments(GAA) , the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Endowments Councils in the chambers of commerce. These entities work to develop the endowment sector through legislation, regulations, and the establishment of charitable associations to support and promote endowments.

Prominent Endowment Entities:

King Abdulaziz Endowment: This project spans 1.5 million square meters, featuring seven adjacent towers of varying heights. The main tower reaches a height of 601 meters and can accommodate a large number of visitors and pilgrims, with a total capital of 2 billion dollars. Ref 7

Sulaiman bin Abdulaziz Al-Rajhi Endowment: Established in 1417AH (1996) , it has a financial value equivalent to one and a quarter billion riyals.

Types of Endowments in Saudi Arabia:

Out of the 33,229 registered endowments in Saudi Arabia, 44% are land and farms, while 27% are farms. The remaining 17% are lands, and 7% represent endowments for imams and muezzins. Different uncategorized endowments make up 33% of the total, with 10% dedicated to buildings, homes, shops, markets, and wells.

Key Areas of the Endowment Sector in Saudi Arabia:

• Religious Fields: Building and supporting mosques, Quran memorization centers, and community awareness centers
• Social Fields: Supporting low-income individuals, settling debts and financial obligations, and paying diyyat (blood money)
• Education and Scientific Research: Establishing endowment schools, university endowments for scientific research, and rehabilitation centers for individuals with special needs.
• Healthcare: Granting scholarships to needy medical students, establishing kidney failure centers.
• Housing: Housing beneficiaries of social security through "Developmental Housing," housing for imams and muezzins
• Humanitarian Fields: Providing iftar for fasting individuals, digging wells, providing clean water, and furnishing homes for the poor
• Local Industries and Family Businesses: Supporting small and medium-sized projects and promoting local industries.