His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), participated in the opening ceremony of the Algerian International Forum “Imam Mohammad bin Abdel Karim Al-Maghili: Governance, Stability and Unity of African Societies“, which was held under the high patronage of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Algeria, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and took place in the Palace of International conferences “Abdul Latif Rahal” in the capital, Algiers, on Monday 18 Jumada Al-Awwal 1444H, corresponding to 12 December 2022G.

Organized by the Ministries of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Religious Affairs and Awqaf in Algeria, this forum seeks to revive the march and role of Sheikh Al-Maghili in spreading Islam in the African continent and to highlight the values of dialogue, tolerance and moderation that characterized the moderate religious discourse of this Algerian scholar who was famous for scientific debates and travel in the countries of the Muslim world and the African sub-Saharan. University professors and researchers specializing in the field of Islamic heritage from more than 20 countries, including Nigeria, Mali, Palestine, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Pakistan, India and Iraq, participated in this event.

Participants in this international forum will focus over the course of two days on studying the intellectual, political and scientific aspects of Sheikh Imam Mohammad bin Abdel Karim al-Maghili al-Tlemsani (1425-1504), who is one of the great Algerian scholars in the 15th century (Gregorian calendar) and the prestigious position he enjoyed inside and outside his country during that period, especially in some African countries, such as Mali, Niger, and Nigeria, and some of his courageous historical stances towards important issues of his time and his moderate reformist vision. The programmed interventions during this scientific forum touched on several axes such as “Imam Mohammad bin Abdel Karim Al-Maghili: The Biography and the Journey”, “The Liberal Reformist Dimension in Al-Maghili Thought and Its Regional and International Extensions”, “Imam Al-Maghili’s Political Thought: A Pioneering Project in State Building and Establishing the First Pillars of Good Governance”, “Al-Maghili’s Approach to Unity and Peace in Africa, Meaningful Messages and Good Advice in the Service of Humanity”.

His Excellency commented on the conference, saying: “The tribute of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to a great scholar such as Imam Muhammad bin Abd al-Karim al-Maghili is an affirmation of the keenness of the wise Algerian leadership to perpetuate the biography of a scholar who endured hardships to spread Islam in countries that could not easily be reached at that time. But the strength of will, composure, and a sense of responsibility to spread the message, were all sufficient to overcome all the difficulties. And the reader of his book which is called (Taj al-Din in what is obligatory upon Kings and Sultans) and what it contained of sincere and righteous advice are considered the foundations of what is known today as good governance and wise leadership, and it is possible to benefit from these graceful tips to enhance the meanings and values of justice, integrity, transparency and sincerity in leadership and management, considering the values of coexistence, tolerance, progress and development”.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Minister of Religious Affairs and Awqaf, His Excellency Dr. Youssef Belmehdi, the President of the National People’s Assembly, His Excellency Mr. Ibrahim Boughali, the President of the Constitutional Court, His Excellency Mr. Omar Belhadj, members of the government and advisors to the President of the Republic, in addition to the Mediator of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Majid Ammour, The Dean of the Algiers Mosque, His Eminence Sheikh Mouhammad Mamoun Al-Qasimi, and the President of the Supreme Islamic Council, His Excellency Dr. Abu Abdullah Ghulam Allah, sheikhs and scholars from Algeria and abroad, descendants of Imam al-Maghili, sheikhs from shrines of Algeria and Africa, and members of the diplomatic corps accredited in Algeria.