Terengganu | 7–8 August 2025 – Akademi Zakat (AZKA-PPZ) participated in the Coordination Workshop for the Publication Project: “Islamic Social Finance: Theory and Application”, organised by the Islamic Social Finance Research Centre (ISF) at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA). The two-day programme, held at the Raia Hotel & Convention Centre Terengganu, brought together academics and industry practitioners to refine the draft chapters of a forthcoming reference book on Islamic social finance.

The workshop aimed to align perspectives between research and practice, ensuring the final publication will serve as a credible, comprehensive guide for scholars, policymakers, and industry players.

Broad Scope, Focused Expertise

The proposed book covers a wide spectrum of topics reflecting the diverse pillars of Islamic social finance. Among the key chapters discussed during the workshop were:

• An Introduction to Islamic Social Finance – presented by Dr. Muhammad Shahrul Ifwat Ishak (ISF-UniSZA), outlining the foundational principles and contemporary relevance of Islamic social finance in addressing socio-economic challenges.

• Islamic Banking – led by Dr. Farah (ISF-UniSZA), exploring Shariah-compliant banking products, their regulatory frameworks, and their role in promoting financial inclusion.

• Islamic Microfinance – also facilitated by Dr. Farah, examining microcredit and micro-savings models that support low-income communities while preserving Shariah compliance.

• Zakat – contributed by AZKA-PPZ, offering practical insights into governance, collection, and distribution models, as well as innovations in zakat digitisation and community engagement.

• Waqf – also presented by AZKA-PPZ, highlighting best practices in waqf management, legal frameworks, and potential integration with modern investment tools for sustainable impact.

• Crowdfunding in Islamic Social Finance – discussed by Dr. Muhammad Shahrul Ifwat Ishak, analysing emerging platforms and their potential in mobilising funds for social good under Shariah principles.

AZKA-PPZ’s Role

As the knowledge arm of PPZ-MAIWP, AZKA’s involvement was twofold: contributing content for the chapters on zakat and waqf, and engaging in peer discussions to ensure coherence between the academic narrative and on-the-ground realities of Islamic social finance implementation.

This dual perspective — grounded in institutional practice yet mindful of scholarly discourse — helped bridge the gap between theory and application. AZKA also shared case studies from PPZ-MAIWP’s experience, particularly on governance frameworks, community-based initiatives, and the integration of technology in zakat services.

Strengthening the Knowledge Ecosystem

The workshop was not only about content refinement but also about building professional networks and reinforcing shared objectives. By bringing together subject-matter experts from both academia and industry, the programme underscored the importance of collaboration in developing resources that can guide future research, policy, and operational excellence in Islamic social finance.

AZKA-PPZ values this opportunity to contribute to a publication that aspires to be a definitive reference in the field. Once completed, the book is expected to support the growth of Islamic social finance knowledge and practice — not only in Malaysia but across the global Muslim community.