A BRIEF PROFILE OF MADRASAT-AL-NAJAH
Established in 1961 it is the oldest institution of Islamic studies in Garissa town and one of the oldest in Northern Kenya. It is a pillar of knowledge and has over the years trained thousands of young Muslims to acquire sound Islamic knowledge. Many of its past students have become respected leaders and personalities both inside and outside Kenya while many o
thers have been admitted to institutions of higher learning in different parts of the world. Currently it has about 500 students, 20 teachers and a number of administrative as well as casual workers. The Madrasa in the past largely operated with stable funding support from the late Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ibn Baaz of Saudi Arabia (Rahmatullahi Aleyhi). However, this support has long discontinued after his death and the Madrasa, therefore, currently does not have any reliable source of financial support. THE WAQF PROJECT
The WAQF project is to be constructed on a prime plot located strategically in Garissa town opposite Jamia Mosque. The project land which measures over 13,000 sq ft was acquired by the Madrasa few years ago with financial support from local and foreign philanthropists. The project is a modern five-storey building comprising of hotel rooms, residential apartments, a supermarket, a restaurant, shops, offices, conference hall and meeting rooms. The project is estimated to cost Kshs 200 Million (US$ 2Million) and once completed is expected to generate sufficient revenue to meet the financial needs of the Madrasa. The development of the WAQF project and its overall management will be jointly undertaken by various parties including professionals from the construction industry as well as trusted Muslim scholars and personalities. THE CONCEPT OF WAQF
WAQF is a sustainable, ongoing charitable endowment (Sadaqah Jariyah). It is a funding system which has been widely used throughout Islamic history to develop and support communities. The benefits of a WAQF continues through generations. According to a Hadith reported by Muslim when the son of Adam dies, his good deeds stop being recorded for him except for three activities. One of the three is a continuous charity (WAQF).
