H.E. Dino Saidi, Ambassador of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), visited on Thursday 17 Jumada II 1443H corresponding to 20 January 2022G, the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) in Jeddah, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

He was greeted on his arrival by His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, who warmly welcomed his guest, thanked him for the visit, and expressed his great appreciation to the leadership of the Republic of Guinea Bissau for its support and care for the Academy since its inception. His Excellency also took the opportunity to congratulate His Excellency on assuming his duties as Ambassador to KSA, wishing him success in strengthening the relations of cooperation, partnership and friendship between the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the one hand, and between the Republic of Guinea Bissau and the Academy on the other.

His Excellency the Secretary General pointed out in this regard that the Academy has good reputation internationally and enjoys great standing and respect, especially with regards to promoting moderation and disseminating a culture of moderation, tolerance and peaceful coexistence between different people and religions. His Excellency added that the Academy will provide all its scientific and moral resources to support member states in addressing ideological, cultural, and educational challenges by providing effective solutions to the problems caused by misconceptions about the clear teachings and values of Islam, through seminars, conferences and training workshops frequently organized by the Academy.

In the same context, His Excellency stated that the Academy looks forward optimistically to strengthening the inter-African relations with the countries of the African group in the Organization, as well as to have strong partnership with the leading jurists and scientific institutions in the countries of the Group. His Excellency also told his guest that he planned to tour several West African countries during the first quarter of this year at the invitation of a number of officials in these countries.

For his part, His Excellency the Ambassador expressed his pleasure and honor to visit the Academy expressing his gratitude to his Excellency the Secretary General for the good reception and welcome, stressing his country’s keenness to establish strong and sustainable relations with the Academy to benefit from it in addressing many local issues that concern his country and the West African region at large.

His Excellency also expressed his admiration and appreciation for the important developments and profound changes that the Academy is witnessing at all levels, stressing the pride of the African countries Group at the Organization for what his Excellency the Secretary General has achieved since his assumption of the General Secretariat of the Academy.

His Excellency the Ambassador concluded his speech by welcoming the official visit of His Excellency the Secretary General to the West African region and invited him to visit the Republic of Guinea-Bissau particularly in order to strengthen the relations of cooperation and communication between the Academy and the leading religious scientific institutions on the one hand, and between the Academy and its scientists on the other.

At the end of the visit, His Excellency the Secretary General presented his Excellency with souvenirs, and the meeting was attended by Mr. Mourad TLiLi, Advisor to the Secretary General for media affairs.