Pembangunan usahawan menerusi mekanisme wakaf: kajian di bawah projek Bazar Wakaf Rakyat (BWR) di Pulau Pinang

Waqf is one of the important instruments in Islamic economics and economic development of a country. Among great potentials of waqf in economic development is; it is able to develop entrepreneurs through resources and assets utilization, create employment opportunities, and assist entrepreneurs' business expansion which can generate economic returns to the country. However, many waqf properties are not productive and cannot be developed due to lack of funds. Meanwhile, waqf institutions are still trying to find financial mechanisms suitable for their developments. Hence, the question raised is about the current implementation by waqf institutions to help develop the ummah' entrepreneurial activities. Thus, this study aims to examine the role of waqf and explore the current implementation of waqf institutions in developing entrepreneurial activities, and identify issues faced by entrepreneurs who receive waqf for entrepreneurial activities. This study only focused on Projek Bazar Wakaf Rakyat (BWR) in Pulau Pinang. It employed a qualitative method involving document analysis and in-depth interviews using ATLAS.Ti software as data collection methods. The interviews involved two target groups, namely the mosque management and entrepreneurs who participated in BWR, totaling 12 respondents. The results show that the role of waqf institutions in developing entrepreneurial activities is through resources of general cash waqf and waqf commercial or premises developments. Besides, the findings highlight that the mosque management is responsible for offering, operating and managing BWR management issues. Furthermore, BWR entrepreneurs have internal issues related to their business and external factors in BWR operations. The findings of this study can contribute to improvements in waqf, institutions, and mosque management. Meanwhile, entrepreneurs can use them as references, guides and improvements to the current business. The study also suggested that guidelines for B WR operation should be provided to mosque management to serve as a guide and reference in managing B WR operations orderly and efficiently.