Within the framework of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy’s (IIFA) endeavor to achieve intellectual convergence and knowledge integration between the leading scientific institutions in the member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and stemming from a desire to benefit from the expertise and experiences of prominent and prestigious universities and scientific institutes inside and outside the Muslim world, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, the Secretary General of the Academy, and His Excellency Prof. Hamid Majul Al Nuaimi, Director of the University of Sharjah, signed a strategic cooperation agreement between the two institutions on Thursday, 29 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1443H corresponding to November 04, 2021G at the university’s headquarters in the Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.

This agreement aims to build a strategic partnership to mutually benefit from the scientific and research capabilities and capacities of the two institutions, and the joint study of calamities and contemporary issues in order to direct and rationalize them. The agreement also aims to jointly organize conferences and symposia, hold workshops and trainings, exchange publications, and represent 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 the Secretary General expressed his happiness with the tangible development and rapid progress that the university is witnessing. He also expressed his joy at the scientific results and achievements of the university in recent years at the level of scientific research, noting that this agreement will be an opportunity to attract researchers from the various faculties and institutes of the university to participate in the Academy’s sessions, symposiums and conferences, as well as it will be a model for achieving integration and convergence between the Ummah’s jurists and experts when studying the problems of contemporary life in a scientific and objective manner. His Excellency added that the Academy looks forward to close scientific and research cooperation with the research teams of the university’s faculty members and to the opinions and expertise they will present that contribute to taking appropriate Fiqh resolutions. His Excellency also indicated that the university, with its advanced research capabilities in various disciplines, can effectively contribute, through experts, researchers, and faculty members, to various medical, scientific, social, financial, and economic issues that fall within the interests of the Academy.

In implementation of the terms of the memorandum, the two parties agreed to form a specialized committee to determine the aspects of cooperation between them, and the methods and mechanisms of implementation as envisaged in the memorandum itself. The committee has the authority to seek the assistance of whomever it deems appropriate to implement all the terms of the agreement.

The signing ceremony of the agreement was attended by Prof. Awwad Al-Khalaf, Acting Director of Al Qasimia University and Dean of the College of Shariah and Islamic Studies at the University of Sharjah, and Dr. Tariq Merabetin, Director of the University’s External Relations Office. Also present from the Academy Mrs. Sarah Amjad, Director of the Family and Women’s Affairs Department, Mr. Khaled Al Ahmadi, Head of the Administrative Affairs and Training Division, and Mr. Amjad Al Mansi, Head of the Protocol Division.