Educational waqf (endowment) in artificial intelligence programs: Toward a new form of waqf

Abstract

Waqf entails locking-up the title of an owned property and allotting the benefits for charitable purposes. It is among the most emphasized acts of righteousness in Islam, emphasizing social justice, collective good deeds, and fair distribution of wealth. The main legislation regulating and governing waqf in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the Federal Waqf Law No. 5 of 2018, largely derived from Islamic law (Shari’a). This study discusses the possible benefits of applying the waqf system in educational programs related to artificial intelligence (AI) in the Emirate of Dubai. It discusses the general legal rules of waqf in UAE law and its applications in the field of education, as well as its potential role in AI programs. It concludes that waqf can nowadays play a distinguished role in promoting investment in educational programs in Dubai, particularly with regard to AI. The present study paves the way for a better understanding of the role of waqf in the field of education and its results contribute to the growing literature on the subject.