His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), visited the headquarters of The World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC) in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi, and was received by Dr. Mohamed Bechari, Secretary General of the Council, on Thursday 16 Safar 1443H corresponding to 23 September 2021G.

His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Sano expressed his deep thanks and great gratitude to His Excellency the Secretary General of the Council for the warm welcome, stressing his great interest and keenness to make this visit to the Council during his participation in the symposium to celebrate the World Peace Day, which was organized by Al Ittihad newspaper in cooperation with the center TRENDS Research & Advisory in the United Arab Emirates.

His Excellency also praised the pioneering role played by the Council in seeking to achieve intellectual and cultural change in Muslim communities all over the world, by encouraging Muslims, whether citizens or residents in these societies, to abide by the requirements of citizenship and residency, to work to be true partners within their countries, and to actively and positively contribute to building and advancing their societies and human civilization in general, as well as setting an example for tolerance and peaceful coexistence between religions and races.

His Excellency affirmed the Academy’s readiness to participate in activities and programs that aim to enhance awareness among Muslim communities of the importance of their positive integration in their countries, and the need to respect laws and regulations, as there is no conflict between religious affiliation and loyalty to the homeland in which the Muslim person resides.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Bechari expressed his happiness with this honorable visit, praising the prestigious position and global academic reputation that the Academy enjoys as the first shariah reference for the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), adding that the Council looks forward to strengthening cooperation, communication, and consolidation of partnership and coordination with the Academy in order to achieve the common goals they share and serve Muslim communities around the world.

In this regard, His Excellency pointed out that many of IIFA’s goals are compatible with the goals of TWMCC, especially with regard to serious work to enable Muslim communities in all countries of the world to adhere to the approach of moderation and pacifism in thought and behavior, and to combat extremism and Islamophobia. His Excellency also affirmed his aspiration for further communication with the Academy in everything related to the dissemination of enlightened Islamic values ​​and the promotion of dialogue and tolerance among peoples.

At the end of the visit, the two parties agreed to continue communication and cooperation between them, exchange visits and expertise, and work on signing a cooperation agreement between the two institutions in order to achieve a long-term strategic partnership.