This paper examines how Islamic associations use Islamic economic practices to become part of the project of development in Egypt. Using ethnographic methods, I discuss the administration and regulation of Islamic economic entities in Egypt and then analyze the role played by zakat (alms), sadaqa (charity), qard hasan (interest-free loans) and waqf (endowments) as part of an Islamic approach to poverty alleviation. I discuss how contemporary interpretations of Islamic economic principles bring aspects of secular international development into the web of activities promoted by Islamic associations. Zakat is the practice with the most specificity in terms of who is entitled to receive it as outlined in the Quran (Wilson 2006). Yet over the past ten years clerics have issued fatwas signifying a widening definition of the deserving poor. Sadaqa inherently allows for more flexibility in spending practices and thus Islamic associations use this category of donations to fund income-generating projects, small and medium enterprises development, social entrepreneurship, environmental protection, artistic development and cultural organizations. In contrast, the practice of interest-free loans (qard hasan) has declined as an economic practice with the rise of Islamic microfinance (Al-Harran, Sen, and Masri 2008). Using specific examples of how each Islamic economic practice has been carried out in Egypt by Islamic associations, I illustrate how these institutions promote particular kinds of practices as Islamic. Finally I discuss the marked absence of waqf in Egypt and argue that greater public scrutiny of foreign funding gives even greater importance to domestically funded foundations as a source of funding for Egyptian associations. I conclude with a discussion of how the ten-year old practice of establishing foundations (mo`assasat) is a replacement for waqf and serves an important role in development in Egypt (Pioppi 2004). References Al-Harran, Saad, Alfred Yong Foh Sen, and Sri Anne Haji Masri. 2008. An Islamic microfinance enterprise: The financial vehicle that will change the face of the Islamic world : The power of salam financing. Philadelphia, Pa.: Xlibris Corp. Pioppi, Daniela. 2004. From religious charity to the welfare state and back: The case of Islamic endowments (waqfs) revival in Egypt. Rome, Italy: Robert Schuman Center for Advanced Studies, RSCAS No 2004/34. Wilson, Rodney. 2006. Islam and business. Thunderbird International Business Review 48 (1): 109-23.