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Articles

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2026): MARET : MUJAHADAH JURNAL ILMU MULTIDISIPLIN

THE ROLE OF WAQF IN EMPOWERING MUSLIM YOUTH:A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF SKILL-BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR ECONOMIC INCLUSION

Submitted
July 4, 2026
Published
2026-03-03

Abstract

This study examines the role of waqf in empowering Muslim youth through skill-based interventions aimed at promoting economic inclusion. It employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) guided by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework to synthesize empirical evidence across diverse country contexts. A total of 48 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed using a thematic approach to identify intervention models, program effectiveness, as well as key success factors and implementation challenges. The findings demonstrate that productive waqf plays a significant role in enhancing youth skills, improving access to labor markets, increasing income levels, and strengthening economic resilience among Muslim youth. Four principal intervention models are identified: education- and vocational-based waqf, entrepreneurship-based waqf, financial literacy and digital inclusion-based waqf, and community development-based waqf. Program effectiveness is strongly influenced by the quality of waqf governance, alignment of training curricula with labor market needs, integration of Islamic values, strategic partnerships, and sustained mentorship. However, several structural challenges persist, including regulatory limitations, institutional capacity constraints, and socio-cultural barriers. Overall, this study underscores the substantial potential of waqf as a key instrument within Islamic Social Finance for advancing human capital development and sustainable economic inclusion. The findings offer important policy implications, particularly in strengthening governance frameworks, fostering innovation in waqf instruments, and developing cross-sector collaborative ecosystems to support the empowerment of Muslim youth.

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