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 resolutions and recommendations of the Academy that include effective solutions for many Problems of contemporary life and emerging issues, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, and His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Al-Dabyan, Director General of the London Central Mosque Trust and the Islamic Cultural Centre, signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two institutions, on Friday 18 Dhul-Qi’dah 1443H corresponding to 17 June 2022G virtually via Zoom technology.

This agreement aims to build a strategic partnership based on strengthening cooperation and coordination between the two institutions in order to promote moderation, spread the culture of tolerance, coexistence and harmony, and reject all forms of extremism, fanaticism, and terrorism, through coordinating efforts and organizing programs, seminars, conferences and activities aimed at achieving these goals. The aforementioned agreement also aims to enhance cooperation between the two institutions in relation to working together to enable Muslim communities in the United Kingdom to maintain their religious identity with strict adherence to the requirements of citizenship. Representing the two sides in the work of conferences and symposia held by each of them in areas of common interest.

After signing the memorandum, His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy expressed his great pleasure and tremendous pride in completing this important agreement for both parties, expressing his regret that he was unable to travel this time to London to sign this memorandum in person. He also expressed his confidence that “this memorandum will enable the two institutions to intensify work and coordinate efforts in order to immediately start implementing a number of provisions of the agreement, especially with regard to organizing specialized and focused scientific symposia on the current issues and problems of Muslim communities, foremost of which is the problem of the halal industry, coexistence, and the problem of intolerance, extremism, religious phobia, hate speech in all its forms and manifestations, and civil status issues in Britain and Europe in general”.

His Excellency added that “the Academy is very keen to play its full role in correcting the negative stereotype about Islam in the West 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 him on the other hand, noting in this context the necessity of spreading t moderation and a culture of peace and tolerance, urging Muslim citizens in the United Kingdom to adhere to the requirements of citizenship and to abide by the laws of their country, as well as their full and effective participation in building their homelands, and contributing to their prosperity and stability.”

His Excellency concluded by expressing his admiration and appreciation for the distinguished and tangible achievements of the London Central Mosque Trust and the Islamic Cultural Centre under the wise leadership of His Excellency the Director General, Dr. Ahmed Al-Dabyan, and all his colleagues, wishing them more success and affirming the Academy’s full readiness to provide the institution with full Fiqh and intellectual support so that it can carry out its tasks to the fullest and serve the Muslim community in the United Kingdom through the various services it provides to them.

For his part, the Director General of the Centre expressed his sincere thanks and great appreciation to His Excellency the Secretary General for the keenness to complete this agreement between the two parties that serves Muslims in Muslim communities, praising the leading scientific position and the good international reputation enjoyed by the Academy worldwide. His Excellency also expressed his aspiration for a bright page of fruitful cooperation between the Centre and the Academy on all issues and topics of common interest, especially issues of concern to the Muslim community in the United Kingdom. His Excellency concluded by giving an official invitation to His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy to visit the Centre’s headquarters in London, in order to closely inspect the Centre’s activities and promising programs, in addition to the great moral boost this visit will give to the Muslim community in the United Kingdom because of the international standing of His Excellency Professor Sano in Islamic circles all over the world.

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 ways and mechanisms of implementation as envisaged in the memorandum itself.