Chaired by H.E. Mr. Hissein Ibrahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Chairman of the Academy’s Bureau, the second meeting of the Bureau for the year 2023 was held on Thursday, 15 Jumada Al-Akhira 1445, corresponding to 28 December 2023. The meeting was held via videoconferencing and was attended by esteemed members, including H.E. Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid, President of the Academy, and the Deputy Chairman of the Bureau, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, the Secretary-General of the Academy and Secretary of the Bureau. In attendance were also members of the Bureau, including prominent figures such as Sheikh Taqi Usmani, Dr. Abu Bakr Doukouri, Prof. Ajil Jassim al-Nashmi, Dr. Ahmed al-Haddad, and Dr. Murtada Badr.

During the meeting, the Secretary-General of the OIC extended a warm welcome to the esteemed members of the Bureau, acknowledging the invaluable guidance by the President of the Academy. He commended the President’s dedicated efforts to pursue the noble objectives for which the Academy was established. His Excellency also expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the exceptional leadership of the Academy’s Secretary-General in advancing the Academy’s mission through the implementation of its programs and activities. Particular praise was given to the Academy’s outstanding contribution to the elaboration of the Jeddah Document on the role and rights of women in Islam. This document was formulated during the global conference organized by the OIC Secretariat General in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in November 2023, under the gracious patronage of His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz. May Allah bless him.

Furthermore, His Excellency applauded the Academy’s commendable efforts in safeguarding Afghan women’s rights. He highlighted the scholarly discussions conducted by the Academy’s delegation during their second visit to the ruling authority in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the OIC Secretariat General considers the Academy one of its most pivotal subsidiary organs due to its inclusion of eminent scholars from various parts of the Muslim world. His Excellency expressed his strong desire for the first meeting of the Bureau in 2024 to be held in person, aiming to reunite and engage with the esteemed members of the Bureau once again.

Accordingly, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid, President of the Academy, extended a warm welcome to the Secretary-General of the OIC and the participating members, expressing gratitude for their continuous participation and unwavering support for the Academy. He conveyed the Academy’s profound appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Prime Minister. May Allah protect them for their generous care and unwavering support to the Academy since its inception. The President of the Academy also acknowledged the Moroccan government’s request to postpone hosting the 26th Academy session in Rabat due to a recent earthquake and assured that the session would be hosted in the following year, praying for the wellness of the Kingdom of Morocco, its king, government, and people.

Concluding his remarks, the President expressed his deep appreciation for the Secretary-General and his team for their outstanding efforts in serving and promoting the Academy. He especially acknowledged the remarkable success of the Secretariat General in collecting mandatory financial contributions and overdue payments from member countries, achieving a collection rate of 72%, the highest in the Academy’s history since its establishment. The President also renewed his gratitude to the State of Qatar for its willingness to host the upcoming Academy session, in Sha Allah.

On his part, the Secretary-General of the Academy conveyed his utmost thanks to the host country, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, its leadership, and its people, for their exceptional support and services to the Academy since its establishment. Their support has enabled the Academy to smoothly organize its activities, programs, and projects. His Excellency also expressed profound appreciation to the Secretary-General of the Organization as well as to the President of the Academy for their guidance and relentless efforts in supporting the Academy. He concluded by extending his thanks to the Bureau members and all Academy staff for their dedicated service.

The meeting proceeded to discuss various agenda items, including the approval of the previous Academy meeting’s minutes, reviewing cooperation agreements and understandings signed by the Academy’s Secretariat General with various religious and scientific institutions within member countries, from Safar 1445 to Jumada Al-Akhira 1445. The agenda also featured discussions on nominations submitted by some countries for new Academy members, as well as a financial report on member countries’ contributions to the Academy’s current-year budget.

In this meeting, the Bureau approved the membership of two new members in the Academy, namely Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Mublaghi, representing the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Sheikh Dr. Tawfiq Riyan, representing the Republic of Iraq. Additionally, the Bureau approved the appointment of Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Mar as a special member representing the Islamic Organization for Medical Sciences.

The President of the Academy concluded the meeting by expressing again his appreciation and gratitude to the Bureau members, who had expressed their deep appreciation and great satisfaction with the Academy’s achievements at all levels, thanks to their diligence and continuous communication with Muslims worldwide.