As part of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy’s efforts to build strategic partnerships with research institutions and centers in the field of spreading moderation, tolerance, coexistence, and harmony among followers of religions, and in order to enable these institutions and centers to benefit from the resolutions and recommendations of the Academy, which include effective solutions to many contemporary life issues, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, and H.E. Prof. Robin Mason, Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, UK, signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two institutions, on Thursday 05 Jumada Al-Ula 1446, corresponding to 8 November 2024, at the Academy’s headquarters in Jeddah.

This agreement aims to build a strategic partnership based on strengthening cooperation in common fields, especially in the study of interfaith dialogue, clarifying jurisprudence on these issues and providing solutions to the contemporary world, establishing and strengthening relations of dialogue and cooperation with other religious communities, promoting Islamic discourse based on moderation and tolerance, and a general understanding of religion, through organizing joint scientific events (seminars, conferences, sessions) to study issues and developments, and cooperating in the achievement of scientific and knowledge programs between the two parties, using clerics to spread the culture of peace and tolerance.

After signing the memorandum, the Secretary General of the Academy expressed his pleasure in completing this important agreement for both parties at this stage when there is an urgent need to end wars and conflicts in some parts of the world, and expressed his confidence that this memorandum will enable the two institutions to join efforts through conferences, seminars, and workshops on promoting awareness of respect for religions and rejection of intolerance, as well as combating hate speech, extremism, and bigotry. His Excellency added that the Academy is very keen to play its pivotal role in correcting the negative stereotypes about Islam on the one hand and correcting the misconceptions and practices contrary to the values, principles, and teachings of Islam on the other hand.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham expressed his sincere thanks and appreciation to the Secretary General for the warm welcome and his great pleasure in completing this important agreement with the most prominent fiqh authority in the Muslim world, noting in this regard the tremendous scientific status and deep appreciation enjoyed by the Academy within and outside the OIC, as well as its leading role in spreading the culture of moderation, tolerance and coexistence. He also expressed enthusiasm for a bright future of fruitful bilateral cooperation between the University and the Academy on all issues and topics of common interest.

By the terms of the agreement, both parties convened to form a specialized committee to determine the aspects of cooperation, methods and mechanisms of implementation as envisioned in the agreement by forming a committee that has full authority to use whoever it deems appropriate to implement the provisions of the agreement.

The signing ceremony was attended by H.E. Cecille Al-Beleidi, Consul General of the United Kingdom in Jeddah, Mr. Mohammed Monder Chouk, Director of Cabinet and Protocols, Mrs. Sarah bint Amjad Hussein Bedewi, Director of Family, Women, Childhood and Elderly Affairs, Dr. Haj Manta Drami, Head of International Cooperation and Foreign Relations, Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Al-Mansi, Head of Protocols, and Mr. Saad Al-Samar, Head of IT and Media.