Jaya and Professor Mahmoud at the MESA Conference

Author: Jaya Nair | Major: Arabic, Middle East Studies, and Asian Studies | Semester: Fall 2024  |

Exploring the Intersections of Religion and Social Empowerment

Hello! My name is Jaya Nair and I am a senior in Fulbright, majoring in Arabic, Middle East Studies, and Asian Studies. I have the honor of working with my thesis advisor, Professor Rania Mahmoud from the department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, on my honors thesis, “Limitless Waqf” which is an exploration of the use of Islamic charitable endowments (waqf) beyond the traditional religious sphere for colonial resistance, legitimacy, social mobility, and potential for modern-day social frameworks. This research not only provides a deeper understanding of Islamic history but also illustrates the way in which religious foundations could be dynamic tools for social empowerment and can be used to benefit communities of diverse religions. This Fall 2024 semester was my first semester of research and it was packed! I plan to defend my thesis next semester, Spring 2025, so there is a lot to work on.

I came to have an interest in waqf, Islamic charitable endowments, two semesters ago when one of our readings was related to the topic in Arab Civilization with Professor Mahmoud. I learned about how waqf was used to provide economic agency for women and I wanted to explore more areas of connection. Further exploration led me to discover its use as a tool against colonization and for social services and transformation. This intersection of religion and social spaces became a foundation for my thesis and a topic I plan to continue to explore.

This semester I worked on translating portions from a text on Islamic legal thought related to the use of waqf and the connections from various teachings as well as from the Quran. This was my first time working on such in-depth translation and while it wasn’t without challenges, it was such a rewarding experience. My thesis advisor, Professor Mahmoud,  was so helpful in guiding me through the complex concepts and linguistics. I worked each week on a new portion and reviewed my translation the following week. This was very helpful to get regular feedback and have a schedule of work. Along with working on my translations, I also started reading and annotating my secondary sources. I have gained a solid understanding and foundation in the study of waqf, looking at examples across the world and throughout history.

In the coming semester, I will be focusing on synthesizing my translation and secondary research into a cohesive thesis. This process will allow me to explore the broader implications of waqf and articulate its significance within modern society. I plan to defend my thesis in Spring 2025, and I hope to pursue further research in graduate school, with a focus on the intersections of Islamic institutions, social justice, and marginalized groups through a historical lens. My experience with this project has solidified my passion for academic research and inspired me to explore how historical frameworks like waqf can inform contemporary discussions on equity and empowerment. Time to get back to writing! Until next semester, thank yo