DEVELOPMENT OF WAQF LAND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: IS A HOTEL A VIABLE PROJECT?

This article examines waqf(pious endowment) hotel projects developed by Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia(YWM) for the economic development of Malaysian communities. Hotel projects were selected as the scope of this study because of their function as large-scale commercial projects and their impact on the development of Malaysian communities. The study involved three waqfhotel projects in Peninsular Malaysia. This study used interviews as primary sources and relevant documents as secondary sources. Data were analysed using a thematic approach. This study found that waqf hotel projects contribute to the economy through the optimal use of land resources, income generation and employment opportunities. Thus, the implementation of waqfhotel projects have the ability to contribute to the socio-economic development of society and the state.