Purpose-This paper aims to develop an integrated waqf-based Islamic microfinance (IsMF) for poverty reduction in Bangladesh. Microfinance institutions (MFIs) have been constrained by the high cost of funds, high interest rate charges and poor human resource quality of the recipients. Islamic MFIs have recently evolved with the hope of overcoming these financial, ethical and human capital deficiencies faced by the conventional financial institutions. Moreover, a good number of integrated models have been proposed to enhance the role played by Islamic MFIs. Most of these models, however, lack empirical justifications. Design/methodology/approach-The research uses survey techniques. A total of 381 respondents were included in the survey. The integrated waqf-based Islamic microfinance model (IWIMM) was earlier on developed using literature and intellectual discussions. There are six constructs presenting the IWIMM, namely, waqf resources, IsMF, takaful, project financing, human resource development and poverty alleviation. In the survey instrument, 45 items represent the six constructs, but only 26 items have been retained after factor analysis. Structural equation modelling has been adopted to examine the relationship among the constructs. Findings-The results show that there are significant relationships between IsMF and takaful, waqf resources and human resource development, takaful and human resource development, IsMF and human resource development and, waqf resources and project financing. The results also indicate that poverty alleviation is possible through the integration of these constructs. Research limitations/implications-Though the paper has studied conventional and Islamic MFIs in Bangladesh, one of the populated Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries and also where poverty incidence is high, further studies need to be conducted in other OIC member countries to adopt the model in line with practical and regulatory environment of those countries.

This research aims to analyze the role of zakat distribution programs for poverty allevation and income inequality reduction among groups in urban and rural areas. It takes the case study of 1,309 zakat beneficiaries managed by the National Zakat Board of Indonesia (BAZNAS) as the coordinating zakat institution in Indonesia, in five different cities and regencies in West Java Province namely, Bogor, Depok and Sukabumi. The analytical tools used in this study are the modification of the Center of Islamic Business and Economic Studies (CIBEST) model, CHAID analysis, Deciles method and Gini coefficient. This study suggests that the present zakat distribution programs can significantly alleviate poverty and reduce income inequality among the observed zakat beneficiaries. It is also found that spiritual supervision and routine assistance form BAZNAS officers, informal education, family size, age and job of the respondents are the variables that are statistically significant in influencing the increase of the households’ monthly income and spirituality.

Purpose This study aims to analyse the role of zakat in poverty alleviation and income inequality reduction based on the gender of zakat recipients. Design/methodology/approach This study used the Centre of Islamic Economic and Business Studies (CIBEST) model as a poverty measure and the Gini coefficient and Atkinson index as income inequality measures to analyse 1,300 zakat recipients in five different areas of West Java, Indonesia. Findings Based on the CIBEST model, zakat distribution programmes have better salutary effects on male-headed households in terms of material (0.215) and absolute (0.037) poverty indices, whereas female-headed households have better performance on the falah (0.438) and spiritual (0.022) poverty indices, with greater changes in these indices in female-headed households. According to the Gini coefficient and Atkinson index, female-headed households have better income distribution one-year after zakat distribution programmes, whereas the male-headed households have better performance in regards to welfare loss. Research limitations/implications The present study only used the poverty line standard published by the Central Board of Statistics from the Republic of Indonesia to identify respondents who live under the poverty line. Practical implications This paper can serve as a reference for zakat institutions in the implementation of zakat distribution programmes when the gender of zakat recipients is taken into consideration. Originality/value Not many studies have analysed the impact of gender in zakat distribution programmes despite gender being one of the most important determinants of poverty and income inequality. This study attempts to determine the economic impact of zakat from the perspective of gender.

This study attempts to analyze the effect of consumption and production-based zakat distribution programs in eradicating poverty and reducing income inequality of the zakat beneficiaries by using the modification of the Center of Islamic Business and Economic Studies (abbreviated as CIBEST) model, Deciles method, Gini coefficient and Atkinson index. It takes the case study of 1,309 zakat beneficiaries managed by the National Zakat Board of Indonesia (abbreviated as BAZNAS) in three different cities and regencies including Bogor, Depok and Sukabumi. It suggests that the present zakat distribution programs conducted by BAZNAS can significantly alleviate poverty and reduce income inequality among zakat beneficiaries. It is observed that one year after receiving zakat programs, production-based programs have higher increase of the material and spiritual condition (represented by falah index) by 300 percentage points while households who obtained consumption-based programs rise by only 20 percentage points. It is also found that the Gini coefficient decreases by 0.017 points while Atkinson index falls by 0.042 points indicating that the income inequality among observed zakat beneficiaries are improved. This study has substantiated the role of zakat for poverty alleviation and income inequality reduction that can benefit development in general. Keywords: Zakat Distribution Programs, Poverty, Income Inequality

Purpose – This paper aims at examining the past as well as the current issues responsible for the most recent Arab-uprising. Design/methodology/approach – The empirical evidence based on regression and correlation together with tabular presentations suggests that the issue of Arab-uprising can be examined from both theoretical and factual evidence. Both theoretical and empirical findings testify the extremely high interrelationships existing among the determinants and co-determinants of Arab-uprising. Based on the three most fundamental pre-requisites for living a life with satisfaction based on personal honour, dignity, voice, peace, justice and equality of opportunity, the economic, political and socio-cultural components are found to be neglected in the Arab World. The constraint of data limited the scope to use systematically available and reliable independent variables, in particular, warranted by any sophisticated empirical model. Findings – The findings will have policy directions for the policy-makers/politicians to address the serious issues involving empowerments. It is argued that the ad hoc solution based on buying the dissent of the critics using handouts is not a long-term sustainable solution to the problems. The findings are also expected to create social consciousness among those who are most concerned to see the changes in the society for betterment where every citizen can stand for his honour, dignity and voice, justice and equality. Originality/value – It is expected that the general reader can understand the issues raised in this paper, internalize the ideas and create an overall environment to redirect the policy frameworks for resolving the social problems without conflict.