H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, chaired the 104th weekly meeting of departments on Monday 27 Muharram 1445, corresponding to 15 August 2023, at the Academy’s headquarters in Jeddah.

His Excellency welcomed the participants and thanked them for their regular attendance at the weekly meetings, reiterating the importance of these meetings, during which consultation and coordination on urgent issues and problems are pursued in order to take collective decisions that involve all departments. His Excellency emphasized that these meetings are an opportunity to familiarize oneself with the latest updates on the Academy, its events, activities, and issues, and how to implement and monitor the Academy’s activities and programs.

His Excellency then spoke about his participation in the international conference organized by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Daawa and Guidance, entitled Communication with the Departments of Religious Affairs and Ifta’ around the World: Communication and Integration, under the auspices of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, King of Saudi Arabia, may Allah protect him. Some 85 countries took part, represented by ministers and heads of religious affairs, ifta and Islamic organizations.

On the sidelines of the conference, His Excellency met with the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Dr Abdullatif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, and the Undersecretary of the Ministry, Dr Awad Al-Enezi, and they discussed ways of strengthening cooperation between the Academy and the Ministry by organizing joint programs and activities. His Excellency also congratulated Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais on renewing the royal trust in his honorable person, by appointing him head of religious affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque and wished him every success.

The meeting reviewed the decisions of the previous meeting, and several new decisions were taken, including the following:

• To prepare a list of universities, which are affiliated with the Association of Islamic Universities in the Muslim World and the International Federation of Universities in OIC member states, in order to gift them the Academy’s publications.
• Submit proposals for joint programs and activities that the Academy can organize in partnership with the Ministry of Islamic Affairs and the General Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque.
• Prepare a letter of congratulations to His Excellency Sheikh Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais and H.E. Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah for the renewal of their positions.