Within the framework of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy’s (IIFA) endeavor to build strategic partnership relations with scientific and research institutions and centers that work in the field of spreading the culture of moderation, tolerance, coexistence and harmony among followers of religions, and a desire to enable these institutions and centers to make maximum use of the decisions and recommendations of the Academy, which include effective solutions for many contemporary life problems and emerging issues, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, and Dr. Azza Karam, Secretary General of the Religions for Peace (RFP) organization in New York City, USA, signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two institutions, on Wednesday 24 Shawwal 1443H corresponding to 25 May 2022G at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the foundation in New York, USA.

This agreement aims to build a strategic partnership based on enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two institutions in order to highlight the desired pivotal role of religions in combating all forms of extremism, fanaticism, and terrorism, by coordinating efforts and organizing programs and activities aimed at enhancing the awareness of followers of religions of the importance of coexistence and tolerance on the one hand, and the help of the clergy to spread the culture of peace, tolerance and coexistence on the other hand. The agreement also aims at cooperating with the two institutions in the joint organization of conferences and seminars, holding workshops and training, exchanging publications, and representing the two sides in the work of conferences and seminars that are held with the knowledge of each of them in the field of common interest between them.

After signing the memorandum, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy expressed his great pride and great pleasure in concluding this important agreement for both parties at this stage when “there is an urgent need for the important role of religions in order to extinguish the fires of war and raging conflicts in some parts of the world, as a result of some youth getting affected with the interpretations of fanatics and extremists who ignited artificial conflicts between religions and sects, so they unjustly permitted, in the name of religions, the shedding of e blood, the desecration of inviolable honor, and the destruction of infrastructure and superstructures through oppression and aggression.” His Excellency also expressed his confidence that this memorandum would enable the two institutions to “join efforts during a joint organization of conferences, seminars and workshops on promoting awareness of respect for religions and religious symbols, combating Islamophobia and religious phobia, and urging followers of religions to renounce fanaticism, extremism and terrorism.”

His Excellency also added that the Academy “is very keen to play its pivotal role of correcting the negative stereotype about Islam on the one hand, and correcting misconceptions and practices that contradict the values, principles and teachings of Islam regarding the Muslim’s relationship with the world around them on the other hand, noting in this regard the paramount importance of spreading the culture of moderation and tolerance, and urging Muslim citizens of Muslim communities, whether they are from within or outside the United States of America, to adhere to the requirements of citizenship and to abide by the laws of their countries, as well as their full participation in building their countries and their prosperity away from all forms of abuse of the legislation of their countries”.

His Excellency concluded by expressing his praise for the distinguished and tangible achievements of the organization under the leadership of Her Excellency the Secretary General, Dr. Azza and the team working with her, hoping that this memorandum will be an opportunity to advance the relations of cooperation between the two institutions towards the paths of quality and perfection.

For her part, Her Excellency the Secretary General of the organization expressed her sincere thanks and appreciation to His Excellency the Secretary General for his visit to the organization’s headquarters. She also expressed her great pleasure in signing this agreement with an international scientific institution with a long-standing stature such as the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, noting in this regard the great scientific status and deep appreciation that the Academy enjoys inside and outside the Muslim world, as well as its leading role in spreading the culture of moderation, tolerance and coexistence in the world. She also expressed her eagerly looking forward to a bright future of fruitful bilateral cooperation between the organization and the Academy on all issues and topics of common interest.

In implementation of the terms of the memorandum, the two parties agreed to form a specialized committee that would define aspects of cooperation between them, and ways and mechanisms of implementation as envisaged in the memorandum itself.

The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Monk Dr. Nobuhiro Masahiro Nemoto, Deputy Secretary General of RFP International, and Ms. Sarah Amjad Hussein, Director of Women and Family Affairs at the Academy.