H.E. Mr. Muhammad Shaya Al-Sawdani, Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq, received H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, on Sunday 19 Ramadan 1444, corresponding to April 9, 2023, at the headquarters of the Ministers Council in Baghdad.

During the meeting, both sides reviewed the general social and political conditions of the Arab and Islamic worlds, the main challenges facing the moderate Islamic discourse and the efforts for peace and rapprochement. The Iraqi Prime Minister said that the Iraqis have set an example in unity, cooperation, and fighting against takfirist groups, extremism, and terrorism, and have offered martyrs on behalf of the “free world” in eliminating the threat of terrorism. His Excellency also affirmed that what Iraqis achieved resulted from their diversity and its transformation into a source of strength, peace, and brotherhood while praising the International Islamic Fiqh Academy’s historical role in promoting Islamic unity, moderation, peaceful coexistence and openness. For his part, the Secretary General expressed his sincere thanks to the government and people of the Republic of Iraq and gave a brief overview of the Academy’s vision, mission, objectives, and projects, praising the courageous human stance of Iraqi people in their war against extremist ideologies and terrorism, as well as the vital role and brave human stance of Iraqi scholars and intellectuals.

His Excellency concluded his speech by looking forward to strengthening cooperation, coordination, and partnership between the Academy and the scientific, intellectual, and religious institutions and centers in the Republic of Iraq. The meeting was also attended by H.E. Dr. Mishaan Al-Khazraji, Head of the Sunni Waqf Diwan, and H.E. Mr. Muhammad Samir Naqshbandi, Consul General and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Iraq to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, as well as Mr. Mohmed Adnan Al-Fihri, Director of Administrative and Financial Affairs at the Academy, and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Mustafa, Head of the Protocols.