The challenges of empoweringwaqfland in Indonesia: an analytical network process analysis

Purpose - This paper aims to identify the factors that hinder the successful empowerment ofwaqfland in Indonesia empirically by applying the analytic networking process (ANP). Design/methodology/approach - In this study, after thewaqfland problem criteria were introduced, an ANP model was developed and applied to identify the main problem, solution and strategy as a framework to guide stakeholders to produce policy recommendations appropriately and optimally. Findings - The results showed that the main priority of the problem is thenadziraspect. Furthermore, each criterion’s problems are a low public trust, unprofessionalnadzir(waqfmanager), a huge number of idlewaqflands, the absence ofwaqfcertificates and non-economicwaqflands utilisation. Meanwhile, the main priorities for each aspect of the solution are socialisation and education to the community,nadzircertification, utilisation of information technology for the administration ofwaqfland governance,waqfland certification and innovation ofwaqfland development projects. Then, the long-term strategic priority is optimising the community’s role in the empowerment ofwaqfland. Research limitations/implications - The development of the ANP model would give the institutions a modest, flexible and convenient approach to evaluate the barriers present inwaqfland. However, ANP requires greater effort because it is a highly complex methodology that compels a study to use more numerical calculations in assessing composite priorities. Originality/value - Not many studies onwaqfland issues in Indonesia have been discussed empirically. Most of these studies are in the form of descriptive studies. This study introduces the ANP approach to illustrate the main problems ofwaqfland empowerment in Indonesia. ANP is a new approach to the decision-making process through a process that produces a general framework for treating decisions without making assumptions regarding independence between elements.