At the kind invitation of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Professor Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), paid an official visit to Algeria during the period between 16-19 Jumada Al-Awwal 1444H corresponding to 10-13 December 2022G, during which he met with a group of senior Algerian officials and religious leaders to discuss ways to strengthen relations of cooperation, coordination and partnership between the Academy and the renowned Algerian scientific and intellectual institutions.

His Excellency started the tour by visiting the Grand Mosque in the capital Algiers, which is the third largest mosque in the world after the Two Holy Mosques, has the highest minaret in the world, and includes great buildings and corridors inspired by Andalusian architecture. Upon his arrival, His Excellency was received by the Dean of the Mosque, His Eminence, the venerable scholar Mohammed Maamoun Al Qasimi, and his senior assistants, where he warmly welcomed His Excellency and thanked him for the visit, praising His Excellency’s scientific status, in particular, and the position of the Academy as the largest scientific and Shariah reference in the current era. He also expressed his aspiration to strengthen cooperation and partnership relations between the Academy and the Algiers Mosque in the near future.

During the meeting, the mosque management gave a detailed presentation to His Excellency the Secretary General and his accompanying delegation about this great Islamic landmark in terms of its unique architectural structure and the multiple and distinguished services it provides to worshipers throughout the week as well as visitors from all over the world.

For his part, His Excellency the Secretary General expressed his great pleasure at visiting Algeria and the love and appreciation he has for its leadership and people, praising the historical achievements and rapid developments of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria in all fields, recalling the glorious history that the State of Algeria represents, and a unique model of sacrifice and struggle. He also expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation for the continuous support and care given to the Academy, noting in the meantime that it was the first country from the African continent to host one of the sessions of the Academy nearly ten years ago. Then His Excellency expressed his great pleasure at visiting the Grand Mosque of Algeria, noting the tremendous work carried out by those in charge of the mosque in the field of promoting the method of moderation, spreading the tolerant values of our true religion and spreading the culture of moderation, tolerance and coexistence. At the end of his visit, His Excellency promised those in charge of the mosque to provide the mosque’s library with publications and periodicals of the Academy.

At the end of the meeting, His Excellency the Secretary General toured the Grand Mosque, where he was briefed on the facilities and departments of this great landmark and the religious services and educational programs it provides to Muslims in Algeria. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Rachid Bourokoua, Secretary of Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Algerian National Community Abroad, and Mr. Jawzy Lardjane, Head of Translation Division at the Academy.