H.E. Dr. Dato’ Muhammad Naeem bin Mukhtar, Malaysian Minister for Religious Affairs in the Prime Minister’s Office, received H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), on Monday, 20 Jumada al-Ula 1445, corresponding to 04 December 2023, in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia.

His Excellency the Minister welcomed the Secretary General and thanked him and the accompanying delegation for the visit, and took the opportunity to congratulate him for being honoured by Her Royal Highness, the Queen of Malaysia with an Emeritus Medal at the International Islamic University in Malaysia in appreciation of his efforts in promoting education in Malaysia in particular and in the Islamic world in general. He added: “This honor and appreciation indicates the high academic level of Your Excellency. It also indicates your recognized excellence and dedication to serving science, knowledge, and students of knowledge, as well as your great contribution to improving quality education in Malaysia. Our heartfelt congratulations to you from our Ministry.” His Excellency then praised the efforts of the Academy, its resolutions and recommendations, which have today become a reference for the Ummah in various fields, noting in this regard the desire of the Malaysian scientific and religious institutions in general and the Malaysian Islamic Development Administration (JAKIM) in particular, to strengthen and enhance cooperation and partnership with the Academy in various fields, including the exchange of expertise and competencies, and signing of an MoU in the coming days.

For his part, the Secretary-General expressed his sincere thanks and utmost appreciation to the Minister for the hospitality and warm welcome, congratulating him on his appointment as Minister of Religious Affairs in the new government, and praying to Allah the Almighty for his success. His Excellency then welcomed the desire of the Malaysian scientific and fatwa institutions, especially the Malaysian Islamic Development Department in the Prime Minister’s Office, to enhance cooperation, communication and coordination with the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, praising the great support and constant care that the Academy has received from the government and people of the State of Malaysia, since its establishment to the present day. This makes the IIFA look forward to strengthening its relationship with scientific institutions and centers in Malaysia.

His Excellency provided a comprehensive overview of the IIFA’s vision, mission, objectives, programs and activities and concluded his speech by saying: “We welcome and look forward to all aspects of cooperation, coordination and communication with scientific and religious institutions in Malaysia, and we especially welcome strategic cooperation with the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, in the areas of coordinating efforts and harmonizing fatwas on current issues and developments through joint organization of specialized seminars and conferences to consolidate the bonds of cooperation, integration and solidarity.

On the Malaysian side, the meeting was attended by H.E. Datuk Hajja Hakima Yusof, Director-General of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department, and her deputy, Mr. Dato Sirajuddin, and was also attended by Mrs. Sarah bint Amjad Bediwi, Director of Family, Women and Children, and Dr. Alhagi Manta Drammeh, Head of the International Cooperation and External Relations Department at IIFA.