Cash Waqf: Exploring Its Role and Potential Impact on Poverty Alleviation in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM)

Abstract

Cash waqf, an Islamic form of charitable endowment, has emerged as a vital instrument for reducing poverty in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). As a versatile and scalable financial mechanism, it allows for the pooling and distribution of monetary resources to support a wide range of social and economic initiatives. In a region facing some of the highest poverty rates in the Philippines, cash waqf presents a sustainable approach to empowering communities by financing education, healthcare, infrastructure, and entrepreneurial activities. With the establishment of dedicated waqf institutions and partnerships with both government and non-governmental organizations, cash waqf has the capacity to meet urgent needs while advancing long-term development objectives. This study examines its mechanisms, implementation challenges, and role in poverty alleviation, underscoring its potential to strengthen economic resilience and transform the socio-economic landscape of marginalized communities in BARMM.