At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, represented by H.E. the Minister of Religious Affairs and H.E. the Minister of Finance, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, paid a working visit to Jakarta, Republic of Indonesia, during the period from 27 Chawal to 3 Dhoul al-Qi’dah 1442 corresponding to 8-13 June 2021.

The Secretary General of the Academy and the accompanying delegation started their visit by meeting H.E. Mr. Yaqut Khalil Qamas, Minister of Religious Affairs and several representatives of Indonesian ministries and governmental departments on Tuesday, 27 Shawal 1442 corresponding to 8 June 2021 at the headquarters of the Ministry of Religious Affairs in Jakarta, capital Republic of Indonesia.

The two sides discussed a number of issues, the most important of which was ways to improve the relations of cooperation, partnership, and coordination between the International Academy of Islamic Fiqh and the major religious institutions of the world’s largest Muslim country which has a population of nearly three hundred (300) million people, and Muslims constitute 90% of its population.

At the top of these institutions are the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Indonesian Ulama Council, the Nahdlatul Ulama Society, al-Muhammadiyah Association and hundreds of leading universities and scientific institutes in the field of Islamic, human and applied studies and research. The two sides also discussed the importance of enhancing the participation of Indonesian Sharia scholars and experts in the Academy’s sessions, conferences, and seminars, as well as the importance of signing memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements in order to strengthen the areas of cooperation and formulate a clear operational strategic plan to achieve the desired results within the given time frame.

In his welcome address to the Secretary General of the Academy, H.E. Mr. Yaqout Khalil, expressed his sincere thanks and deep gratitude for His Excellency’s visit to Indonesia, as the first Secretary General of the Academy to visit this country since the establishment of the Academy to date. His Excellency also expressed his joy and appreciation for the qualitative changes and developments within the Secretariat General of the Academy since His Excellency took office. His Excellency the Minister also stressed that this visit will be an opportunity to open a new chapter of cooperation and close partnership between the Academy and the Republic of Indonesia, promising in this regard to deepen the relations between the two parties in various areas of common interest. His Excellency the Minister expressed his Ministry’s willingness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties before the delegation returns to Saudi Arabia, thus confirming the Ministry’s willingness to engage in genuine cooperation between the two institutions.

For his part, the Secretary General of the Academy expressed his deep thanks and gratitude to the Indonesian government for its invitation, and also expressed his great appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality since his arrival with the accompanying delegation, despite the exceptional health conditions the world is going through. His Excellency also conveyed to the Minister the greetings of the President of the Academy, H.E. Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, noting in this regard his willingness to consolidate the relations of cooperation and partnership between the Academy and the Republic of Indonesia, due to its geographical and demographic location, and its scientific heritage within the Muslim world.

His Excellency concluded his speech by assuring the Minister of the Academy’s full readiness to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Academy and his Ministry before the delegation’s return. The two parties thus concluded the first historic meeting between the Academy and the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs, which lasted about an hour, with an exchange of memories.

It should be noted that the delegation accompanying His Excellency was composed of H.E. Dr. Omar Zuhair Hafez, Special Advisor to the Secretary General of the Academy, Mrs. Sarah bint Amjad bin Hussein, Director of Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, and Mr. Khalid Al Ahmadi, Head of the Academy’s Administrative Affairs Department.