His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Al-Khalaileh, Minister of Awqaf, Islamic Affairs and Holy Places in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, received His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), on Sunday, 1 Dhu Al-Hijjah 1442 corresponding to July 10, 2021, at the Ministry’s headquarters in the capital, Amman.

His Excellency the Minister welcomed His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy and congratulated him on his appointment as Secretary General of the Academy. He also thanked him for visiting the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in order to strengthen relations of cooperation and partnership between the Academy and the prestigious Jordanian scientific institutions, led by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and Holy Places, stressing in this regard the full support of the Jordanian government to the efforts of the Academy in all fields, especially with relation to promoting moderation and combating extremist ideologies, fanaticism and terrorism, and correcting misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.

For his part, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy expressed his great thanks and great appreciation to His Excellency the Minister for his kindness in receiving him and the accompanying delegation from Amman airport and escorting him to the hotel, which is a clear indication of the special status and special care that the Jordanian government has for the Academy, as well as the continuous support since its establishment. His Excellency the Secretary General has renewed the Academy’s condolences represented by the presidency, the general secretariat, and members and experts of the Academy to the leadership and people of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on the occasion of the death of His Excellency Prof. Abdul Salam Al-Abadi, praising at the same time the great services he provided, and the significant imprints he left on the Academy during his tenure as Secretary General.

Then His Excellency the Secretary General indicated that this visit comes within the framework of the Academy’s firm desire to establish a sustainable scientific partnership with the leading scientific institutions and centers in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in order to achieve intellectual convergence and knowledge integration between the jurists and scholars of the Ummah, and to deepen the bonds of communication and coordination between the fatwa and guidance authorities.

In order to achieve this, the two sides agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the Academy as a culmination of this first visit by His Excellency the Secretary General since he assumed his duties at the head of the Academy.

His Excellency the Minister Dr. Al-Khalaileh signed the MoU as representative of the Ministry, and His Excellency Prof. Sano, as representative of the Academy.

The terms of the MoU aim to enhance cooperation in common areas, especially with regard to the dissemination of Islamic knowledge and culture and the preservation of Islamic heritage. It also aims to exchange sources of knowledge, education, and publications issued by the two parties, as well as to represent each party officially in all meetings related to areas of joint cooperation.

Commenting on the signing, Dr. Al-Khalayleh said: “The ministry welcomes the signing of the MoU to exchange experiences between the ministry and the Academy, which is an important Islamic institution, providing fatwas and legal advice, in addition to holding courses and seminars that provide benefit to religious institutions. The ministry will work to exchange expertise and experiences with the Academy in a drive to promote and develop its work”.

He added that the MoU enhances the continuous and fruitful cooperation in all fields of interest to both parties and works to deepen the areas of cooperation between them to confront contemporary issues. It draws inspiration from the approach of Islam in strengthening the ties between the two sides in what should be achieved and attempts to build bridges of cooperation between them in common areas.

Prof. Sano, on the other hand gave the following statement:

“The Academy looks forward to benefiting from the expertise of the Ministry of Awqaf, through this MoU, which will set out the framework of cooperation, holding more seminars and dialogues. A joint specialized committee will be formed to determine aspects of cooperation and methods of implementation as envisaged in this MoU, and the committee may seek the assistance of whomever it deems appropriate to implement what is stated therein. The Jordanian experience, in the religious fields, and others, is a rich one that should be benefited from, and Jordan has presented a wonderful model in the field of combating extremism, fanaticism, terrorism, and the spreading of peace and moderation”.

At the end of the meeting, the two parties exchanged souvenirs, where His Excellency the Secretary General presented to His Excellency the Minister a luxurious copy of the book of the fourth edition of the book of resolutions and recommendations of the Academy, and His Excellency the Minister presented the Ministry’s shield and some publications issued by the Ministry.