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This paper concerns the provision of affordable housing for the poor and needy Muslims through zakat and wakaf funding. The study’s objectives are to determine whether zakat and wakaf resources are employed therein, examine the roles of the zakat and wakaf authorities, and identify constraints and the ensuing strategies. The study was carried out through desk research and interviews with representatives of selected zakat and wakaf authorities. Key findings from the study are that zakat and wakaf are involved in the provision of affordable housing for the poor and needy Muslims and that their funds have been employed therein. However, their roles are dissimilar, therefore, each authority has its own modus operandi. In addition, both zakat and wakaf authorities have constraints in the availability of expertise to undertake the procurement of housing development and they address this problem through collaborative working styles, with each other, and with private property developers. Keyword: funding, housing, procurement, wakaf, zakat PLANNING MALAYSIA Journal of the Malaysia Institute of Planners (2019) 71 © 2019 by MIP INTRODUCTION In Islam, zakat and wakaf are the two most important socio-economic tools aimed at equitable distribution of wealth among the ummah. Literature has reported on how zakat and wakaf have been employed and would continue to be employed to reduce poverty and to improve the living conditions of the ummah. However, most of the initiatives reported thus far appear to focus on addressing rudimentary problems: in the case of zakat in the provision of daily sustenance of the poor and needy and in the case of wakaf in the provision of basic Islamic infrastructures such as burial spaces for Muslims, building of suraus, mosques, religious schools and the likes. These efforts are not to be considered insignificant, but it is contended that improving living conditions of the Muslim ummah should include initiatives that extend beyond addressing these rudimentary problems. One area that requires urgent attention is housing. Literature has been highlighting issues of housing inadequacies and affordability facing the poor and needy Muslims and others (Khairuddin, Sharina, & Azila, 2014; Nadiah, Ali, Halim, & Noor, 2016; Khazanah Research Institute, 2015; Cagamas, 2013; Azila, Khairuddin, & Sharina, 2015)(Khairuddin, et al., 2014; Nadiah, et al., 2016; Khazanah Research Institute, 2015; Cagamas, 2013; Azila, et al., 2015). Given that within the context of modern economy and maqasid shariah, the provision of shelter is considered a basic necessity and if the poor and needy Muslims could not afford to meet this needs, hence, an unpretentious question comes to mind: could zakat and wakaf be employed to help the poor and needy Muslims in the provision of housing in a big way? Available literature suggests that initiatives in the provision of housing for the poor and needy Muslims utilizing zakat and wakaf funds are being done but they remained sparse and lacking in detailed and critical assessments (Khairuddin, et al., 2017; Mohit & Nazyddah, 2011) (Khairuddin et al., 2017; Mohit & Nazyddah, 2011). In addition, there is a lack of published data and information on the roles of the zakat and wakaf authorities, constraints they faced and the strategies they employed, in the provision of housing for the poor and needy Muslims. This paper reports on a study on the roles of the zakat and wakaf authorities in the provision of adequate and affordable housing for the poor and needy Muslims. The objectives of the study are; (i) to determine whether zakat and wakaf resources are being employed in addressing the problems of affordable housing among the poor and needy Muslims, (ii) to examine the roles of the zakat and wakaf authorities therein; and (iii) to identify constraints facing the zakat and wakaf authorities in performing their roles and the appropriate strategies to alleviate or remove the identified constraints. The study was carried out through desk research and intensive interviews with representatives of selected zakat and wakaf authorities. Rashid, K. A., Hasan, S.F, Fauzi, P.N.F N. M., Aripin, S., Sarkawi A. A Zakat and Wakaf Funded Housing for the Poor and Needy © 2019 by MIP 72 This paper is structured into five sections. Following the Introduction, an overview of zakat and wakaf is presented. This is followed by a review of the housing problems faced by Malaysians focusing on the poor and needy Muslims and initiatives taken by the authorities including by the zakat and wakaf in addressing the problem. In the subsequent section, a critical examination of the roles of the zakat and wakaf authorities in the provision of adequate and affordable housing for the poor and needy Muslims would be conducted. Finally, the paper offers a conclusion highlighting the key findings from the study. OVERVIEW OF ZAKAT AND WAKAF Zakat In Islam, zakat refers to the act of making a contribution of one’s wealth, on condition that he meets the prescribed criteria, to the designated zakat recipients or asnafs (Quran Surah At-Taubah, 9:60). The act of giving away one’s wealth, in this instant is compulsory, to help others in need for the sake of Allah SWT is akin to one making effort to purify his wealth. Zakat in Malaysia is administered by the respective State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRCs) or Majlis Agama Islam Negeri (MAINs). The SIRCs are responsible to collect zakat contributions and disbursing them to the asnafs. In addition to disbursing zakat in the form of cash, the SIRCs are also utilizing the zakat monies to provide assistance including scholarships, building or repair of homes and religious schools, education, medical and health facilities and the likes. Wakaf In Islam, wakaf refers to an act of giving away of one’s belongings, irrespective of amount or value, such as a piece of land, a house or cash to a person/persons/community for the recipient to enjoy the benefits derived therefrom for an indefinite period. Wakaf is not an obligation but Islam strongly encourages its followers to endow their belongings to help the poor and needy (Quran Surah Al-Hajj, 22:77 and Al-Baqarah, 2: 267). Like zakat, the administration of wakaf in Malaysia falls under the respective SIRCs. The SIRCs are responsible to register, administer and implement all policies and projects entrusted to them as per the relevant States wakaf enactment. Review of available literature shows that authorities in Malaysia adopted a rather traditional style in administering the wakaf assets and properties under their care. In most cases the endowed assets and properties are utilized for religious related activities although there are SIRCs that have begun to embark on commercially oriented property development including housing projects(Rohaya & Rosli, 2014; Rabiatul, et al., 2017; Khairuddin, et al., 2017; PLANNING MALAYSIA Journal of the Malaysia Institute of Planners (2019) 73 © 2019 by MIP Khairuddin, et al., 2014) (Rohaya & Rosli, 2014; Rabiatul, Latifa, & Norhanizah, 2017; Khairuddin et al., 2017; Khairuddin et al., 2014). AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROBLEM FACING THE POOR AND

ZAKAT AND WAKAF FUNDED HOUSING FOR THE POOR AND NEEDY – AN ANALYSIS OF THE ZAKAT AND WAKAF AUTHORITIES ROLES FROM THE AUTHORITIES’ PERSPECTIVES