DCA Participates in the 2025 Waqf (Endowment) Conference

The Diyanet Center of America (DCA) proudly took part in the 2025 Endowment (Waqf) Conference held on November 17–18 at the JW Marriott Reston Station in Virginia. Organized by the U.S. Council of Muslim Organizations (USCMO) in partnership with Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), the conference brought together leading scholars, nonprofit executives, attorneys, financial experts, and community organizers to discuss the future of Islamic endowments in the American context.

The DCA Delegation

DCA was represented by a distinguished team of leaders. Over the course of two days, the team actively engaged in sessions, contributed to discussions, and strengthened connections with national organizations dedicated to developing sustainable and transparent waqf models. The delegation included:

• Chairman Dr. Fatih
• Prof. Selim Argun – Senior Advisor to Turkish Religious Affairs
• Ahmet Salih Bayraktar – Executive Director
• Imam Bünyamin Özciftci – Imam of the DCA Mosque
• Yılmaz Acar – Research and Outreach Coordinator

A Living Example of Tradition

As one of the most comprehensive Islamic centers in North America, DCA shared its experience as a living example of the waqf tradition. The institution’s integrated model—bringing together religious services, education, social programs, cultural heritage, and community outreach—reflects the spirit of historical endowments while adapting them to the needs of Muslim life in the United States. This perspective resonated with many attendees who are working to build durable and ethically grounded endowment structures for their communities.

"Waqf can once again become a transformative tool for education, social welfare, and long-term community development."

A highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Prof. Dr. Selim Argun, who spoke on the historical development of Islamic endowments and their relevance for Muslim American institutions today. His remarks provided a rich intellectual foundation for the event.

Looking Forward

The DCA delegation’s participation offered an opportunity to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and contribute to the growing national conversation on revitalizing Islamic endowments. The conference underscored DCA’s ongoing commitment to sustaining the waqf tradition in America and ensuring that its benefits continue to reach future generations.