Women And Waqf: Zeynep Hanım Waqf in the Context Of Sustainability And Professional Management

The Zeynep Hanım Waqf, linked to the influential Kavalalı Mehmet Ali Pasha family, played a significant role in both Ottoman and Egyptian histories. The family had prominent members in Egyptian governance and figures like Zeynep Hanım in Istanbul, post the London Agreement of 1841. Zeynep Hanım, known for her philanthropy, notably founded Zeynep Kamil Hospital. She became the family waqf trustee, succeeding her elder brother, pioneering as a female administrator. The waqf charter allowed leadership by both male and female heirs. Her management style reflected a dynamic approach, as she made decisions on property, income, and even incorporated her husband's family. The chapter underscores women's pivotal roles in waqf management during the Ottoman era, with an emphasis on the waqf's societal impact and its philanthropic connections between Egypt and Istanbul.