# Islamic Religious Governance A note collecting insights on how Islam is governed as an institutional and public phenomenon, with attention to stakeholders, funding models, and administrative arrangements across different countries. . --- ## Entries **[[2025-06-02]]**: Read about the _[Islamic Secular](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/126224674-the-islamic-secular)_, a concept developed by Sherman A. Jackson, refers to a space within the Islamic tradition for activities not directly governed by sharia but still carried out under God’s gaze and with religious intent. Unlike the Western idea of secularism, created in opposition to religion, the _Islamic Secular_ operates alongside sharia and Islamic Law, offering religious legitimacy to fields like science, governance, architecture, and economic life. **[[2025-05-05]]**: _[Islamic Public Value](https://islamicpublicvalue.org/)_ is a research project hosted by UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) and funded by the [[John Templeton Foundation]]. It explores Islamic cooperative institutions and positions Islamic public administration as a viable contemporary paradigm, building on work by Wolfgang Drechsler, Salah Chafik, and Rainer Kattel. **18/02/2025**: The financing of mosques varies widely across countries but traditionally relies on _waqf_ - Islamic endowments that allocate revenue from donated assets (such as land, shops, or buildings) to sustain religious and social infrastructure. These funds are legally protected, irrevocable, and dedicated to the public good. In addition to _waqf_-based models, mosques may also be funded through community contributions (notably _zakāt_ or _ṣadaqah_), direct state support via ministries of religious affairs, or income-generating activities such as renting event spaces or operating market stalls, provided they comply with [[Islamic Finance|Islamic finance]] principles. **18/02/2025**: The [[Jerusalem Islamic Waqf]] is the organization responsible for administering the Islamic religious buildings in Jerusalem’s Old City, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque - the third holiest site in Islam after Mecca and Medina. It is currently managed by the Government of Jordan, based on an arrangement made with Israel following the 1967 Six-Day War. While Israel retains security control over the area, Jordan determines the governance and preservation of the religious complex. Administrative management falls under the Waqf, whereas religious leadership is held by the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, appointed by the Palestinian Authority. **18/02/2025**: The [[Al-Azhar Religious Complex]], also known as _Al-Azhar Al-Sharif_, this is a centuries-old network of Islamic religious and scholarly institutions based in Cairo, Egypt. Founded in 970 under the Fatimid Caliphate, the complex is led by the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, a position currently appointed by the Egyptian government. Al-Azhar is one of the most influential authorities in Sunni Islamic jurisprudence and theology. Its key components include the historic Al-Azhar Mosque and [[Al-Azhar University]], one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world. **18/02/2025**: [[Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)]] is the largest Islamic organization in the world, with an estimated membership of between 40 and 90 million. It promotes a traditionalist and pluralist interpretation of Islam, known as _Islam Nusantara_, in contrast to the Wahhabi-inspired reformism (dominant in the Arabian Peninsula). NU operates thousands of Islamic boarding schools (_pesantren_), universities, and social programs. Although it is institutionally independent, it cooperates with the Indonesian government (it receives public subsidies to run schools). **18/02/2025**: [[Muhammadiyah]] is Indonesia’s second largest Islamic non-governmental organization, with around 29 million members. It began as a reformist socio-religious movement advocating _ijtihad_ (independent interpretation of the Qur’an and Sunnah) over _taqlid_ (blind adherence to traditional scholarly opinion). Muhammadiyah promotes a modern form of Islam by integrating religious and secular education, aiming to uplift Muslim communities through knowledge and social services. The organization runs hundreds of schools, universities, and a vast network of charitable hospitals. It is known for its emphasis on religious tolerance and civic engagement, standing as a counterpart to the more traditionalist Nahdlatul Ulama. **18/02/2025**: The [[Hizmet Movement]] is a global Sunni Islamic civil society initiative inspired by Turkish cleric Fethullah Gülen. Founded in the late 1960s in Turkey, it emphasizes education, interfaith dialogue, and community service. By 2015, affiliated institutions (including schools, media outlets, and charities) were estimated to have a combined net worth between $20 and $50 billion. The movement operates in over 180 countries, with a significant presence in education through a network of schools and universities. Following the 2016 failed coup attempt in Turkey, which the government attributed to Gülen, the movement faced significant crackdowns, leading to the closure of many affiliated institutions in Turkey. **18/02/2025**: The [[Aga Khan Development Network]] is a global network of private, non-denominational, and non-profit organizations founded by the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Nizari Ismaili Shia Muslim community. Headquartered in Lisbon, Portugal, AKDN operates primarily across Asia and Africa (in regions such as the Middle East, East Africa, and Pakistan). The network works through semi-autonomous agencies focused on culture, education, rural development, and economic inclusion. Key institutions include the Aga Khan University and the Aga Khan Foundation. Its funding comes from a mix of international donors (such as USAID and the Gates Foundation) and its own for-profit arm, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development, which employs over 47,000 people and generates more than $4 billion in annual profit. The fund owns major assets such as Uganda’s leading media group and Pakistan’s largest bank, Habib Bank. **18/02/2025**: Opened in 2023 in Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House is an interfaith complex featuring three separate but equal places of worship: a Mosque, a Christian Church and a Synagogue. Inspired by the 2019 _Document on Human Fraternity_ signed by Pope Francis and Grand Imam Ahmed El-Tayeb of [[Al-Azhar Religious Complex|Al-Azhar]] (Sunni Islam’s highest religious authority) the complex promotes coexistence among the Abrahamic faiths.