Saudi Awqaf Governor Meets Syrian Minister to Boost Waqf Cooperation

On Wednesday, the Governor of Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Awqaf, Emad bin Saleh Al Kharashi, met Syria’s Minister of Endowments, Mohammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri, at the authority’s headquarters in Riyadh to strengthen cooperation on waqf development. The talks, reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, were held with the Syrian minister’s accompanying delegation and focused on exchanging expertise and reviewing the Kingdom’s experience in regulating and digitizing endowment services.

Context and Background

The General Authority of Awqaf is Saudi Arabia’s official body responsible for supervising waqf assets — Islamic endowments dedicated to charitable, social, and development purposes. Over the past years, the authority has introduced clearer regulatory frameworks, stronger asset governance, and digital tools designed to improve transparency and operational efficiency.

These reforms form part of the broader transformation underway in Saudi Arabia under Vision 2030. A more professional waqf sector helps generate sustainable resources for social programs, health, education, and community services, while also expanding the Kingdom’s non-oil economic base. International interest in Saudi Arabia’s approach has grown as the authority demonstrates how modern administration can coexist with Islamic endowment traditions.

Key Details of the Meeting

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the meeting included a review of the General Authority of Awqaf’s experience in regulating and developing the waqf sector. Delegations discussed issues of mutual interest and explored how endowments can remain sustainable and achieve a broader economic and social impact.

The Syrian minister and his delegation also met senior officials and specialists at the authority and took part in specialized sessions and workshops. These sessions showcased the authority’s work in areas such as digital services, institutional governance, and methods for increasing the productivity of waqf assets.

Implications and Impact

The Riyadh exchange highlights the growing value of waqf assets as instruments for social finance across the region. For Syria, closer contact with Saudi Arabia’s endowment sector provides practical insight into modern approaches that can be adapted to its own circumstances. For Saudi Arabia, the meeting affirms its role as a source of expertise and a leader in Islamic social investment.

Waqf institutions have historically funded education, health care, and social welfare. As governments across the region seek more resilient funding models, Saudi Arabia’s experience in digitalizing services and professionalizing management offers a relevant example. The meeting also reflects the Kingdom’s broader policy of engaging with partners through knowledge-sharing and capacity-building.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The modernization of the waqf sector is closely aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to build a vibrant society and a diversified, sustainable economy. By strengthening endowment governance and digital services, the Kingdom is creating long-term value that supports nonprofit institutions and social development. The visit of Syria’s Minister of Endowments underscores the international relevance of this progress. As Saudi Arabia moves forward with its reform agenda, its willingness to share experience with partners reflects a forward-looking vision that extends beyond its borders.

20 Questions

Q1. Who met the Syrian Minister of Endowments in Riyadh?

A1. The Governor of the General Authority of Awqaf, Emad bin Saleh Al Kharashi, welcomed Syria’s Minister of Endowments, Mohammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri, and his delegation at the authority’s headquarters in Riyadh, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

Q2. What was the purpose of the meeting?

A2. The meeting aimed to discuss areas of mutual interest, strengthen cooperation, exchange expertise, and learn from Saudi Arabia’s experience in regulating and developing the waqf sector, including the digitalization of endowment services.

Q3. Where did the meeting take place?

A3. The meeting was hosted at the headquarters of the General Authority of Awqaf in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The venue served as the setting for official talks and specialized sessions with the visiting delegation.

Q4. What is the General Authority of Awqaf?

A4. The General Authority of Awqaf is a Saudi government entity responsible for overseeing and developing waqf, or Islamic endowments. Its work includes improving governance, ensuring sustainability, and maximizing the economic and social impact of endowments in the Kingdom.

Q5. Who is Emad bin Saleh Al Kharashi?

A5. Emad bin Saleh Al Kharashi is the Governor of the General Authority of Awqaf. He represented Saudi Arabia in the meeting and presented the authority’s experience in regulating and developing the waqf sector.

Q6. Who is Mohammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri?

A6. Mohammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri is Syria’s Minister of Endowments. He led the visiting delegation and participated in sessions and workshops highlighting Saudi expertise in managing and developing waqf assets.

Q7. Why is Saudi Arabia’s waqf experience internationally relevant?

A7. Saudi Arabia has built modern frameworks for endowment governance, digital services, and sustainable investment. Sharing this experience internationally demonstrates the Kingdom’s leadership in Islamic social finance and offers other countries a practical model for developing their own endowment sectors.

Q8. What areas of cooperation were discussed?

A8. During the meeting, the officials discussed cooperation on waqf regulation and development, exchange of expertise, digitalization of services, and methods to strengthen the sustainability and social impact of endowments.

Q9. What was reviewed at the meeting?

A9. The General Authority of Awqaf’s experience in regulating and developing the waqf sector was reviewed, together with a number of issues of mutual interest to Saudi Arabia and Syria, as reported by the Saudi Press Agency.

Q10. Did the Syrian delegation take part in workshops?

A10. Yes, the Syrian minister met senior officials and specialists at the authority and participated in specialized sessions and workshops. These sessions highlighted Saudi experience in regulating and developing the waqf sector.

Q11. What role does digitalization play in Saudi Arabia’s endowment sector?

A11. Digitalization helps streamline endowment registration, management, monitoring, and transparency. By digitizing services, the General Authority of Awqaf aims to improve efficiency, sustain assets, and strengthen public trust in the waqf sector.

Q12. How do waqf assets support Saudi Arabia’s economy?

A12. Waqf assets support the economy by financing education, health care, community services, and charitable projects. Professional governance and investment help preserve their value and increase their contribution to social and economic development.

Q13. What expertise did Saudi officials share with the Syrian delegation?

A13. Saudi officials shared their experience in waqf regulation, governance, asset management, and digital services. The exchange included examples of how endowments can be developed to maintain sustainability and generate greater social and economic value.

Q14. What is the significance of Saudi-Syrian cooperation in this field?

A14. The exchange gives Syria a closer look at successful Saudi governance models for endowments, while strengthening bilateral engagement. It also reflects the importance of Islamic finance and social investment as tools for cooperation between countries.

Q15. Who else took part in the meetings with the Syrian delegation?

A15. The Syrian minister met the General Authority of Awqaf’s senior officials and a number of waqf specialists. He also joined specialized sessions and workshops during his visit to the authority’s headquarters.

Q16. How does this meeting support Saudi Arabia’s external engagement?

A16. Saudi Arabia has made knowledge exchange a central feature of its international engagement. Hosting official delegations from other countries allows the Kingdom to share best practices and contribute to shared goals in social and economic development.

Q17. How does Vision 2030 connect to the development of waqf?

A17. Vision 2030 emphasizes the growth of the nonprofit sector and sustainable social impact. A modern waqf system supports these objectives by creating reliable funding for social projects and helping diversify the Kingdom’s sources of development.

Q18. How does the General Authority of Awqaf govern endowment assets?

A18. The General Authority of Awqaf establishes regulatory frameworks, oversees endowment operations, and encourages professional asset management. Its approach combines Islamic endowment principles with modern financial and administrative standards to preserve and grow waqf assets.

Q19. What outcomes can be drawn from this exchange of expertise?

A19. The official program was designed to help both sides share lessons in regulation, digitalization, and sustainability. Such exchanges encourage further regional cooperation in endowment development and support the wider use of waqf as a tool for social good.

Q20. Where can readers find official information about this event?

A20. The meeting was reported by the official Saudi Press Agency, SPA. SPA is the primary source for news about Saudi government activities and provides reliable updates on official visits and bilateral meetings involving Saudi authorities.

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