In line with the desire of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy to strengthen cooperation and coordination with scientific institutions and centers, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, received a delegation from the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom, headed by H.E. Prof. Robin Mason, Vice Chancellor of the University, and H.E. Ms. Cecile Al-Balidi, Consul General of the United Kingdom in Jeddah on Thursday, 05 Jumada Al-Akhira 1446, corresponding to 08 November 2024, at the Academy’s headquarters in Jeddah.

At the onset of the meeting, Prof. Robin Mason, head of the delegation and Vice Chancellor of the University, thanked His Excellency for the warm welcome, stressing his keenness to make this important visit and communicate with the Academy to discuss several issues and themes in which the agenda of the Academy intersects with the agenda of the University. His Excellency praised the role of the Academy and the moderate and sober thought and distinguished efforts to spread moderation, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among religions, cultures, and peoples within and outside the OIC. He also pointed out that the UK’s model of multiculturalism is a successful model that many countries can benefit from in promoting tolerance and moderation, and he added: “We are proud of this agreement between the Academy and the University of Birmingham and look forward to further cooperation, coordination and understanding.”

Her Excellency Ambassador Cecile Belaidi praised the Academy’s response to new developments promoting cultural engagement. She added: “We are honored to meet with Your Excellency and explore all avenues of cooperation between the Academy and relevant educational institutions in the United Kingdom to promote interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence.”

The Secretary General again welcomed the delegation and expressed his thanks for their visit to the Academy to discuss possible areas of cooperation and partnership between the Academy and this prestigious university, in line with the Academy’s objectives, which are based on rejecting intolerance, combating hate speech, and extremism, promoting the values of moderation, tolerance, coexistence and constructive dialogue with followers of religions and cultures to maintain world peace and social justice, and emphasizing that the Academy as the leading jurisprudential reference for the Ummah, which is also considered as the intellectual arm of the OIC regarding interfaith dialogue.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Mohamed Mondher Chouk, Director of Cabinet and Protocol, Ms. Sara bint Amjad Hussein Bedewi, Director of Family, Women, Children and Elderly Affairs, and Dr. Haj Mantah Drameh, Head of International Cooperation and External Relations.