H.E. Prof. Koutoub Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, received in his office at the Secretariat General of the Academy on Wednesday, 4 Sha’ban 1442 corresponding to March 17, 2021, H.E. Mr. Abdul Razzaq Siad Abdi, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, who came to congratulate His Excellency on the occasion of his assumption of office as Secretary General of the Academy.

His Excellency greeted the Ambassador and thanked him for his visit, and praised the constant support that the Academy receives from the Federal Republic of Somalia, noting in this regard the leading role that Somali scholars and thinkers play in the Horn of Africa in disseminating the moderate approach of Islam and fighting all forms of extremism, violence and terrorism. His Excellency also affirmed to the Ambassador that the Academy is ready to provide the hoped-for intellectual support to the Somali authorities, especially in the field of combating the ideas that fuel terrorism and extremism, and justify brutal violence and murderous attacks on souls, dignity and property, based on erroneous concepts and blind interpretations of the sacred scriptures.

The Academy is fully prepared to strengthen close cooperation with scientific and religious institutions and centers in Somalia by organizing lectures, seminars and workshops in cooperation with Somali scholars on ways to deconstruct the foundations of extremist thinking and to refute the ideological bases on which extremists rely, as well as the ideas on which they manipulate many young men and women, and children to commit heinous acts that Islam totally renounces.

His Excellency concluded his speech indicating that the Academy is about to organize in the coming days – Incha Allah – a specialized scientific symposium on the sanctity of blood in Islam, the importance of preserving the five necessities, and educating the youth on moderation, tolerance and temperance.

For his part, Ambassador Abdul Razzaq Siad Abdi expressed his thanks to His Excellency for the understanding and willingness of the Academy to cooperate with Somalia, stressing that he is looking forward a workshop to be held by the Secretariat General of the Academy in cooperation with the Security Institute in Somalia and the leading scientific institutions in the country. This workshop aims for combating extremist ideologies and promoting and disseminating the values of moderation, tolerance and temperance in Somali society. His Excellency welcomed this project and assured that the Academy is ready to participate in its implementation.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Ayman Abdel-Karim, Mr. Mourad Al-Talili and Ms. Sarah Amjad Hussein.