Integrating Productive Waqf for Halal Infrastructure Acceleration: A Critical Ethnography in LAZISMU Doro

Abstract

This study examines the integration of productive waqf as a strategic instrument to accelerate the development of halal industry infrastructure through a critical ethnographic approach at LAZISMU Doro, Pekalongan. The findings reveal that although productive waqf has begun to support community-based economic activities such as microenterprises, agriculture, and sharia-compliant local businesses, its integration into the halal industry ecosystem remains at an early, unstructured stage. The study highlights key challenges, including limited public understanding of productive waqf, inadequate institutional capacity, suboptimal governance systems, and unequal power relations that affect participation and decision-making. Despite these constraints, productive waqf has significant potential as an alternative, sustainable financing mechanism capable of strengthening local economic structures and promoting social welfare. The research proposes an integrative model consisting of waqf collection, productive management, sectoral integration with halal industries, institutional strengthening, and impact-based evaluation. This model emphasizes the importance of governance reform, stakeholder collaboration, and community empowerment to optimize the role of waqf in building an inclusive and sustainable halal economic ecosystem.