His Eminence the Grand Imam, Sheikh Dr. Ahmed Al-Tayeb, Sheikh of Al-Azhar Mosque, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and President of the Islamic Research Academy received on Wednesday, 27 Dhu al-Qa’dah 1442 corresponding to 7 July 2021, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), and his accompanying delegation in the sheikhdom of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif in Cairo. The Grand Imam began his speech by welcoming His Excellency and congratulating him on his appointment as Secretary General of the Academy, expressing his hope that God will grant His Excellency success in carrying out this huge responsibility in a manner that is pleasing to God, and in achieving what the Islamic peoples all over the world aspire to, especially with regard to the clarification of Shariah rulings on issues of concern to Muslims.

His Eminence also expressed his hope that the Academy would play the role that is expected of it in correcting misconceptions about Islam, combating extremism, fanaticism, and terrorism in all its forms and shapes, as well as carrying out solid and disciplined renewal efforts and bold ijtihad that is relevant to our era, aware of the outcomes, and offers solutions to the problems of contemporary life. His Eminence also affirmed his special confidence in His Excellency’s scientific competence, and the willingness of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif to enhance cooperation and communication with the Academy in all scientific activities and programs that enable all Muslims to understand their religion correctly, and to apply the teachings of the true religion to their reality with ease and simplicity. His Eminence concluded his speech by saying that he agrees with the Secretary General on his rational thoughts, his disciplined innovative visions, and the ideas he presents to correct misconceptions, and therefore the Secretary General and the Academy will have the full support of His Eminence in all their projects, activities, and programs.

For his part, H.E. the Secretary General expressed his great thanks, deep appreciation, and great gratitude to His Eminence the Grand Imam for the warm welcome and good reception, stating that meeting with His Eminence is a great honor for him, and a historic occasion that he will continue to cherish, especially that His Eminence enjoys a special place in the hearts and minds of every Muslim person, as he heads a prominent and renowned scientific institution with over a thousand years in the service of Islam, Muslims and humanity, and in the service of science and scholars, and in the service of thought and knowledge.

His Excellency also expressed his pride and pleasure with this meeting, which enabled him to benefit closely from the rational thoughts, great humility, as well as frankness, steadfastness, openness, and innovative ijtihad of the Grand Imam. Then His Excellency presented to His Eminence an overview of the Academy, its vision, mission, goals, activities, and programs. He pledged to His Eminence that he would work relentlessly to strengthen the relations of close cooperation between the Academy and the Sheikhdom on the one hand, and between the Academy and other institutions affiliated with the sheikhdom, such as Al-Azhar University, the Islamic Research Academy and the Council of Senior Scholars on the other hand, noting in this regard that the Academy looks forward in the coming days to benefit from the experience and expertise of Al-Azhar Al Sharif, in the form of the Noble Mosque, the University, and the institutions.

At the end of the visit, His Excellency presented His Eminence with a luxurious copy of the fourth edition of the book of decisions and recommendations of the Academy.