“18. Century Üsküdar Cash Waqfs Workshop” organized as a TUBITAK 1001 Project was held in Marmara University Sultanahmet Complex.

The opening speeches of the meeting were delivered by Marmara University Rector Prof. Erol Özvar, Rector of Istanbul University. Prof. Mahmut Ak and Rector of Istanbul Zaim University Prof. Mehmet Bulut.

Marmara University Rector Prof. Erol Özvar expressed in his speech, “This workshop is a meeting where the results of a study conducted within the scope of the TÜBİTAK 1001 Project are discussed. I would like to express my pleasure to be a part of such a study. We have conducted a remarkable project in cooperation with Marmara University, Istanbul University and Sakarya University. I think it is an important and pioneering work. I ask you to share your criticisms and thoughts. Because what you say will be a very important force for the development of the study. I congratulate everyone who has contributed to the project.”

Stating that the workshop was held for a good cooperation and purpose, Rector of Istanbul University Prof. Mahmut Ak underlined in his speech that they were very happy to be part of the project. Prof. Mahmut Ak also stated in his speech, “I attach great importance to the work of faculty members who work in different institutions and come together for the same purpose. This project will be a pioneering work to develop a collaborative culture. It is in a position that sheds light on our scholarly history due to its subject matter. Life is a process based on reality. In this respect, waqfs and especially cash waqfs are important institutions reflecting the social life of our past. I believe that this work will be an inspiration for the endowments of today’s world.”

Rector of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University Prof. Mehmet Bulut said: “I congratulate my friends who have contributed to this project with my sincerest feelings. By conducting such a pioneering work, they have created an important resource for the knowledge of our country. The concept of cash waqfs is a special issue that emerged in our geography. It has inspired many organizations today. With this pioneering work, it will see the proper value it deserves.”

Following the meeting, Istanbul University Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Süleyman Kaya gave information about the project. In his presentation Prof. Kaya enlightened the participants about the number of accounting records they examined, the number of foundations they could examine, and the data they obtained. Prof. Kaya stated in his presentation that, “In our project, we examined the accounting records covering 87 years. We have examined 139 different waqfs in our researches. 18 of these waqfs had accounting records of one-year, 38 of them had less than ten years of accounting records and 48 of them had records covering a period over 40 years. The latter group was the ones that gave us the healthiest information. In the project, we obtained a general data template by transferring the data we obtained during the process to the tables. By publishing all this data, we will present it to you and contribute to the scholarly world.”

The workshop ended with an evaluation session after the presentations of the faculty members participated in the project.