Professor Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Kilani, Dean of the Faculty of Sharia at the University of Jordan, participated in the forty-sixth session of the Al Baraka Islamic Economics Forum, held under the theme: *“The Philanthropy Sector in Islamic Economics: Towards a New Future.”* The event brought together a distinguished group of scholars, experts, and researchers specializing in Islamic economics, charitable work, and developmental initiatives.
Dr. Al-Kilani emphasized that the forum addresses a highly significant theme with profound implications for advancing sustainable development pathways by elevating the philanthropy and charitable sector from the realm of individual efforts and voluntary initiatives to a structured institutional framework based on principles of good governance, transparency, accountability, and scientific indicators that assess the impact of charitable work and the extent to which it fulfills the objectives of Islamic law and developmental and humanitarian goals.
He pointed out that the current stage necessitates adopting advanced strategic visions that contribute to empowering vulnerable groups in society, shifting charitable work and its beneficiaries from merely receiving aid to becoming active participants in economic development. This can be achieved by developing their skills, enhancing their productive capacities, and opening new horizons for them to contribute to the building of their communities.
Dr. Al-Kilani stressed the urgent need to formulate comprehensive forward-looking frameworks that activate the role of the philanthropy sector, reinforcing its position as one of the fundamental pillars in human development, societal solidarity, and the advancement of nations, in accordance with the holistic civilizational vision of Islamic economics.
The forum also brings together officials, financial thought leaders, scholars, decision-makers, and representatives of financial and developmental institutions from 18 countries around the world, forming one of the largest intellectual and economic gatherings in the region.
The Al Baraka Islamic Economics Forum is considered one of the most prominent global platforms specializing in Islamic economics. Over more than four decades, it has contributed significantly to developing its intellectual and practical foundations and enhancing constructive dialogue among scholars, experts, and policymakers on contemporary economic issues from an Islamic perspective that balances ethical values with economic efficiency.
The forty-sixth session features six main panels and more than twenty scientific and applied themes, focusing on highlighting the pivotal role of the philanthropy and charitable sector as an active economic component that contributes to development, promotes social stability, and supports economic justice through its original instruments, foremost among which are zakat, endowments (waqf), alms, benevolent loans, and voluntary work.