Seeking to build strategic partnership relations with the scientific and research agencies and centers operating under the banner of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and desiring to enable those agencies and centers to make the most of the resolutions and recommendations of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), which include effective solutions to many of the problems of contemporary life and its emerging issues, His Excellency Professor Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, and His Excellency Dr. Ihsan Ovut, Secretary General of the Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC) affiliated to the OIC, signed a memorandum of strategic cooperation between the two parties, on Tuesday 02 Rajab 1444H corresponding to 24 January 2023G, at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Academy in Jeddah.

This memorandum aims to build a strategic partnership between the two institutions in the field of issuing Shariah specifications and standards for the Halal industry in slaughterhouses, food, beverages, etc., in order to achieve the goals of the OIC in promoting the Halal industry that adheres to Islamic standards, and in pursuit of the commitment of Member States and Muslim communities to all Shariah standards for Halal products of foods, medicines, and others, through research and scientific cooperation, joint organization of conferences and seminars, holding workshops and training, exchanging publications and periodicals, and representing the two parties in the work of conferences and seminars held by 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 pleasure at the completion of this important agreement, not only for the two parties, but for all the member states of the OIC because of its direct impact on the lives of millions of Muslims and their livelihood all over the world, praising the important role the institute plays in determining Shariah standards and specifications that regulate all halal industries such as food, drink, clothing and medicine. His Excellency added by expressing the aspiration of the Academy to further cooperation and coordination with the Institute to set all Shariah standards and specifications for many halal products that still need Shariah codifying in support of the manufacture and trade of halal products in our Muslim world and to serve Muslims inside and outside the OIC countries. In conclusion, His Excellency invited Dr. Ovut to attend and participate in the 25th Academy’s Session during the coming month of February.

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Ihsan Ovut expressed his pride and pleasure in signing this important agreement with the Academy, praising the keenness of the Academy under the leadership of His Excellency the Secretary General to codify and structure positive cooperation between the institute and the Academy in an unprecedented push for all the efforts made for decades towards more focused cooperation and coordination in order to obtain greater and more comprehensive results. His Excellency stressed that the long-standing cooperation between the institute and the Academy in issues of halal products such as food, medicine and clothing, has yielded impressive results that have deeply affected this vital and growing sector, adding that this agreement will give a new spirit to this cooperation and provide it with a major impetus that enables it to keep pace with the scientific developments and changes, and technical progress in the food and drug industry in our contemporary world.