Sarajevo hosts three-day regional forum on endowments in Balkan countries

(Patria) - As part of the 13th "Endowment Days 2025" event, a three-day regional forum on endowments, themed "Experiences, Strategies, Sustainability," began today in Sarajevo, with the participation of representatives from Balkan countries.

The forum is organized by the Endowment Directorate of the Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB).

Director of the Endowment Directorate, Dr. Senaid Zajimović, highlighted the importance of this event, emphasizing that during the two days of the forum, key issues concerning the development of endowment legislation, strengthening transparency and management, activating endowment investment projects, as well as examples of cooperation between endowment institutions in the Balkans will be discussed.

“These topics represent both challenges and opportunities, and we look forward to constructive discussions that will contribute to shaping common strategic visions for the future of endowments in our region,” Zajimović stated.

According to him, the Endowment Directorate is the central institution within the structure of the Islamic Community, authorized to manage, organize, and develop endowment property in our country, in accordance with the principles of Islamic law and the needs of contemporary society.

He emphasized that since its establishment, the Endowment Directorate has realized hundreds of endowment projects in various fields, thus becoming an institutional pillar in the protection and development of endowments and in service to society.

“Furthermore, the Endowment Directorate continuously works to strengthen cooperation among endowment administrations in the Balkans and beyond, by organizing conferences, forums, and expert meetings. This forum is part of these efforts to create a stimulating scientific and institutional environment for endowments, through the exchange of experiences, building partnerships, and contemplating the future,” Zajimović said.

The Deputy Rais al-Ulama of the Islamic Community in BiH, Dr. Enes Ljevaković, stressed that the goal of the forum is to raise awareness and highlight the importance of endowments and their active role in various areas of social life, especially within the Islamic Community and its educational, upbringing, cultural, social, economic, media, and other vital institutions.

He added that endowments have significantly contributed to the development of Islamic culture and civilization during the most brilliant periods of Islamic history.

„Thanks to endowments, many cities were founded and developed into scientific, educational, and economic centers, as was the case in many Balkan countries,“ said Ljevaković, reminding that endowments in BiH suffered through processes of nationalization, property confiscation, and agrarian reform, thereby being damaged, devastated, and deprived of their property.

He also pointed out that in recent years, efforts to place the issue of endowments at the center of attention within the Islamic Community and in the broader social context are clearly visible. He particularly emphasized the role of the Endowment Directorate and its contribution to the restoration of endowments.

He indicated that endowments today face new challenges and opportunities that require a re-examination of some regulations based on earlier ijtihad, taking into account changed social and economic conditions, both locally and globally.

„New issues related to endowments require answers from scholars based on contemporary ijtihad and the issuance of new fatwas based on Islamic texts, their spirit, and the objectives of Sharia. In this context, it is necessary to consider new forms of endowments and different areas of activity for existing endowments, in order to modernize and activate them. It is not enough to merely preserve existing endowments and strive to reclaim confiscated endowment property; rather, a clear vision for the development of the endowment system and its role in new socio-economic circumstances is essential, and work must be done for its consistent implementation.

This responsibility lies with all of us, and especially with the institutions and bodies responsible for the preservation and development of endowments. In this regard, I look with optimism and hope at this scientific forum and expect its works, results, and recommendations to align with our aspirations for a better future for endowments in the Balkan countries and the world,“ said Ljevaković.

Dr. Abdelhakim Yessouf from the Islamic Development Bank also spoke at the forum.
The topics discussed included: “New Approach to Cooperation with Muslim Communities,” “Endowment Directorate of the Islamic Community in BiH – Organization, Achievements, and Social Development,” “Application of Sharia Principles in the Organization of Endowments in Balkan Countries.”

Two panel discussions were also held, on the legal framework and political context of endowment functioning in Balkan countries, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and Kosovo, and a discussion on the management, sustainability, and successful endowment models in practice in Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

On the last day of the forum, April 30, a field visit to endowments is also planned.