الفنون و المتاحف: رافد الثقافة المجتمعية | Anas Al-Sayrafi | TEDxKAU

Key Concepts

• الابتكار في مصارف الأوقاف (Innovation in Waqf Expenditures)
• الوقف (Waqf): Islamic endowment
• المتاحف الثرائية (Enriching Museums)
• صناعة الوقف مع صناعة المكان (Waqf Industry with Place-Making)
• جده بارك (Jeddah Park): A commercial center with integrated museums
• دار الفنون الإسلامية (House of Islamic Arts)
• متحف الشفاء (Al-Shifa Museum): Contributions of Muslim scholars in medicine
• متحف الأميال الحجرية (Milestone Museum): Historical road markers
• متحف الزهرة (Al-Zahra Museum): Traditional costumes and jewelry
• مكتبة الشيخ عبد الوهاب السليمان (Sheikh Abdul Wahab Al-Sulaiman Library)
• المسعى (Al-Mas'a): The area between Safa and Marwa in Mecca
• المدعى (Al-Mudda'a): A historical street in Mecca

الابتكار في مصارف الأوقاف (Innovation in Waqf Expenditures)

• The speaker emphasizes the need for innovation in how Waqf funds are utilized, moving beyond traditional uses like building mosques or providing basic necessities.
• Examples of innovative Waqf projects include:
  • Libraries: Providing knowledge and benefiting people.
  • Craft Centers: Teaching skills and creating livelihood opportunities.
  • Enriching Museums: Showcasing Islamic history, culture, and the Prophet's life.
• The speaker highlights the potential of museums to deepen understanding and love for Islamic history and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• He mentions the importance of knowing the specific locations where Quranic verses were revealed and the reasons behind their revelation.
• The example of Al-Juhfa, a place where the Prophet (PBUH) stopped during his migration to Medina, is used to illustrate the significance of understanding historical context. The verse "Indeed, He who imposed upon you the Quran will bring you back to a place of return" (Quran 28:85) was revealed there, promising his return to Mecca.

تجربة الوالد في الوقف (The Father's Experience in Waqf)

• The speaker discusses his father's experience with Waqf, highlighting how his life experiences shaped his understanding and commitment to it.
• His father started with a small stall in Al-Mudda'a, a historical street in Mecca.
• Al-Mudda'a's significance is linked to Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who prayed for his descendants in that location after leaving Hagar and Ishmael.
• The father's journey progressed from a small stall to a shop in Al-Mas'a, which was later incorporated into the Haram during the reign of King Abdulaziz.
• He eventually became a major figure in global financial markets and a founder of Bank Albilad.
• He dedicated one-third of his shares in Makkah and Taiba to Waqf and established a Waqf foundation about ten years ago.
• The speaker shares an anecdote about how his father learned that the house they lived in was actually Waqf property, which instilled in him a deep respect for the concept.
• He also mentions that many houses in Mecca were Waqf properties, reflecting a culture of prioritizing charitable endowments over personal ownership.

صناعة الوقف مع صناعة المكان: جده بارك (Waqf Industry with Place-Making: Jeddah Park)

• The speaker discusses the creation of Jeddah Park, a commercial center that integrates cultural and educational elements through museums.
• The concept was to create a unique attraction that would ensure the market's long-term sustainability.
• The idea was to establish a complex of museums on a 10,000-square-meter area on one of the upper floors.
• The museums include:
  • Dar Al-Funun Al-Islamiyya (House of Islamic Arts): The first museum of Islamic art in Jeddah, featuring around 1000 pieces.
  • Al-Shifa Museum: Showcasing the contributions of Muslim scholars to medicine and surgery.
  • Al-Amial Al-Hajariyah Museum (Milestone Museum): Displaying historical road markers used on ancient caravan routes.
  • Al-Zahra Museum: Named after the speaker's mother, showcasing traditional costumes and jewelry.
• The museums also host cultural events and seminars.
• The speaker emphasizes that these museums aim to revive the spirit of ancient Arab markets, which were centers of both commerce and culture.

مكتبة الشيخ عبد الوهاب السليمان (Sheikh Abdul Wahab Al-Sulaiman Library)

• The library of Sheikh Abdul Wahab Al-Sulaiman, a prominent scholar from Mecca, has found a home within the museum complex.
• The library is located within the Makkah Museum and is accessed through Bab Al-Salam, one of the old gates of the Haram.
• The library's inauguration was attended by prominent figures like Sheikh Saleh bin Humaid and Sheikh Saad Al-Shathri.

الدعوة إلى الله من خلال المتاحف (Calling to Allah Through Museums)

• The speaker shares a story about a group of Chinese tourists who visited the museum.
• One of the tourists was so moved by the experience that he decided to convert to Islam and recited the Shahada (declaration of faith) within the museum.
• The speaker emphasizes the significance of this event, quoting the saying that guiding one person to Islam is better than possessing red camels (a symbol of great wealth).

Conclusion

The speaker advocates for innovative approaches to Waqf, emphasizing the potential of museums and cultural centers to educate, inspire, and promote Islamic values. He highlights his father's lifelong commitment to Waqf and the success of Jeddah Park as an example of integrating Waqf with place-making. The story of the Chinese tourist's conversion underscores the power of museums to connect people with Islam and inspire faith. The main takeaway is that Waqf can be a powerful tool for promoting education, culture, and Da'wah (inviting to Islam) in the modern world.