H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), received H.E. Mr. Nasir Kamali Abadi, Acting Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), at his office in Jeddah, on Tuesday 25 Safar 1445, corresponding to 12 September 2023.

The Secretary General congratulated H.E. Mr. Abadi on his appointment as the Acting Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran at the OIC and wished him every success in his new duties. His Excellency expressed his content at the resumption of relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and stated that this initiative will strengthen the OIC’s role in disseminating moderation, tolerance and coexistence. His Excellency also spoke about the important role and contributions made by Ayatollah Taskhiri, former representative member of Iran at the Academy, since its creation until his passing, adding that the Academy looks forward to collaborate with Iranian religious and scientific institutions so as to work together in promoting the Academy’s mission and vision, based on moderation, tolerance, peaceful coexistence, as well as the understanding and dialogue between Islamic schools of law.

For his part, H.E. Mr. Abadi reiterated the central role that the Academy plays at the intellectual and scientific level in clarifying concepts about Islam and in bringing together Islamic schools of law, as well as propagating the values of moderation and tolerance. His Excellency also expressed his willingness to strengthen cooperation between the Academy and academic and scientific institutions in Iran. His Eminence invited the Secretary General to participate in the forthcoming Iranian conference on Muslim unity, to be held in Tehran in October 2023.

At the end of the meeting, the Secretary General, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, called on Iran’s acting permanent representative to the OIC to intervene with the Iranian authorities regarding his country’s arrears to the Academy’s budget. H.E. Mr. Abadi promised to do everything possible to facilitate the settlement of this issue as soon as possible.

The meeting was attended by Mr Mohammed al-Fihri, Director of Financial and Administrative Affairs, Ms Sarah Amjad Badewi, Director of Family and Women Affairs, Mr Moez Abdulrazaq Riahi, Director of Financing, Investments and Projects, Dr Alhagi Manta Drammeh, Head of International Cooperation and External Relations Division, and Mr Saad Sammar, Head of Media Division at the Academy.