H.E. Dr Muhammad Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, paid a visit to the Secretariat General of IIFA in Jeddah on Tuesday, 27 July 1445, corresponding to 9 January 2024. Upon his arrival, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of IIIFA, received His Excellency.

His Excellency the Minister expressed his thanks to the Secretary General for his warm welcome, and his great pleasure at visiting the Academy, which is the leading jurisprudential reference for the OIC’s Member states and Muslim communities outside the Muslim world. His Excellency also expressed his immense pleasure for being one of His Excellency’s students while studying for his doctorate at the International Islamic University of Malaysia. His Excellency then expressed his firm desire to strengthen the ties of cooperation and communication between the Academy and the scientific and intellectual institutions of the Maldives, under the leadership of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, in order to spread moderation, combat extremism, and promote moderation, tolerance, and openness within Maldivian society.

In response to this desire, His Excellency proposed that the Academy sign a cooperation agreement with the Ministry in order to define the areas of cooperation and coordination between the two parties, particularly with regard to the study of contemporary issues and developments within the Republic of Maldives. His Excellency concluded his speech by expressing the hope that the Republic of Maldives would host one of the next sessions of the Academy.

For his part, the Secretary General renewed his welcome to His Excellency the Minister and his delegation, and congratulated him for his new position as Minister of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Maldives a few months ago, and wished him every success in his duties. His Excellency also expressed the IIFA’s sincere thanks and gratitude to the Republic of Maldives for its continued support to IIFA since its foundation until today, reassuring his guests that the Academy was fully prepared to provide all forms of intellectual support to all Maldivian scientific and religious institutions active in spreading moderation and tolerance. His Excellency stressed that the Academy wishes that the Republic of Maldives hosts one of the Academy’s future sessions and seminars.

The meeting was attended by H.E. Mr Ali Ehsan, Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs, H.E.Mr Mohamed Rameez, First Secretary at the Maldivian Consulate in Jeddah, Mr Ahmed Ressam, Political Director and Secretary to the Minister, and Sojo Hameed Edikam, Head of Islamic Affairs at the Ministry. On the side of IIFA, the meeting was attended by Mr. Moez Al-Riyahi, Director of Projects and Investments, and Mr. Muhammad Walid Al-Idrissi, Director of Media and Public Relations.