Within the framework of strengthening relations of cooperation, partnership and coordination between the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) and the official institutions inside and outside the Islamic world, and based on the goals of the Academy, which provide for building bridges of cooperation with these institutions in areas and issues of common interest, and encouraging collective diligence in contemporary life issues with its calamities and developments with the aim of providing them with solutions stemming from Islamic Sharia, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and His Excellency Dr. Hamad Al Sheikh Ahmed Al Shaibani, Director General of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in the Emirate of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, signed a memorandum of cooperation on Monday, 26th of the month Rabi’ al-Awwal 1443H corresponding to November 1, 2021G.

This agreement aims to build a strategic partnership in the field of supporting the scientific and research capabilities and capacities of the two institutions, and excellence in the formation, development, dissemination and application of knowledge to enrich the lives of individuals and societies, in addition to dealing with contemporary jurisprudential issues related to fatwas and charitable work in order to clarify the legitimate position on the problems of contemporary life. The memorandum also aims to enhance cooperation and continuous communication, and to strengthen coordination between the two institutions in the areas of organizing conferences and symposia, holding workshops and training, exchanging publications, and representing the two sides in the conferences and symposia that are held by each in the field of common interest between them.

Following the signing of the agreement, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the government and people of the United Arab Emirates for the great support and generous care that the Academy has received since its establishment forty years ago, noting in this regard “the strong relationship between the Academy and the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities, which previously hosted two of the Academy’s twenty-four sessions in the Emirate of Dubai”. His Excellency also expressed his great pleasure with the development, progress and excellent organization that he and the accompanying delegation touched in the activities and programs of the department, as well as the innovations that characterize the performance of the department, congratulating on this occasion the Director General, Dr. Hamad Al Shaibani and his team for excellence and proficiency. His Excellency also expressed his aspiration for the member states of the Academy to benefit from the expertise and experience of the department, especially in the field of virtual fatwas, smart mosques, smart memorization of the Noble Qur’an, and the development of charitable work.

In implementation of the terms of the memorandum, the two parties agreed to form a specialized committee that meets twice a year to determine aspects of cooperation between them, and ways and mechanisms of implementation as envisaged in the same memorandum. It should be noted that the term of the agreement is one year from the day of signing, and it is automatically renewed at the end of the term, unless any party expresses its desire to terminate it.