As part of the strengthening of strategic cooperation and partnership between religious, scientific and intellectual institutions in Malaysia, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and represented by the General Department of Islamic Development, and in the presence of H.E. Senator Dr. Haji Mohamed Naim Mukhtar, the Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs and the International Fiqh Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday 3 Jumada Al-Akhira 1446, corresponding to December 4, 2024, at the Ministry’s office located at the Prime Minister’s Headquarters in Putrajaya, the administrative capital of Malaysia. The two parties were represented by H.E. Dr. Sirajuddin Suhaimi, Director General of the Department of Islamic Development at the Prime Minister’s Office and H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.

H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, delivered a speech in which he expressed his great joy and pleasure at the signing of this historic strategic memorandum between the Government of Malaysia and the Academy, and commended the efforts of the Minister of Religious Affairs and the Director General of the Department of Islamic Development, noting that the signing of this memorandum came about during a discussion with the Minister during his last meeting with him. The Secretary General also expressed his deep gratitude to the Government and people of Malaysia for the material and moral support they have given to the Academy from its inception to the present day, and for the honor he continues to receive from the Malaysian people and leadership since destiny brought him to teach in one of its prestigious universities, the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM).

The Secretary General of the Academy concluded his speech by reiterating his deep appreciation and gratitude as well as his beautiful praises to the current Prime Minister of Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Anwar Ibrahim, may Allah bless and protect him, for his tremendous efforts in developing the country and promoting joint Islamic action, as well as for his historic and timeless positions on the issues facing the Ummah, praying to Allah to preserve his country and maintain Malaysia’s security, safety and peace.

The Malaysian Minister of Religious Affairs then delivered a speech in which he hailed the honor of the Malaysian government to sign this memorandum with the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, which is a prestigious scientific reference and consortium for the scholars and thinkers of the Ummah. He emphasized that this memorandum “focuses on three main areas of cooperation, namely awareness programs, training, research and publications, as well as participation in the various programs and activities of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy. This initiative holds great hope for enhancing the professionalism, efficiency and capabilities of the officials of the General Directorate of Islamic Development through the opportunity to participate in the Academy’s programs, initiatives, forums and conferences, and to work closely with its members and experts.” His Excellency the Minister also added: “This cooperation not only strengthens international Islamic diplomatic relations, but also enhances the capabilities of the staff of the General Directorate of Islamic Development in contemporary jurisprudence and ifta”.

The Malaysian Minister concluded his speech by urging the Directorate General of Islamic Development to work hard to ensure that the provisions of the Memorandum are strictly implemented in the best possible manner. The two sides agreed to “strengthen cooperation and coordination in the field of Ifta, enhance scientific capabilities, raise awareness of the rulings, principles and objectives of the Shariah in relation to contemporary issues, study issues and developments of concern to Muslims in Malaysia, organize scientific conferences and seminars to address the challenges facing the Ummah, promote the values of moderation and spread tolerance and understanding among peoples”.

It is worth mentioning that this important agreement underlines the Academy’s commitment to develop its partnerships with OIC member states in order to strengthen its role in the service of Islamic concerns and to serve as a leading global religious authority for OIC member states and Muslim communities abroad. The event was attended by officials from the General Directorate of Islamic Development of the Ministry of Religious Affairs and the Academy, including Mrs. Sarah Amjad Hussein Bedewi, Director of Family, Women, Children and Elderly Affairs, Dr. Haj Manti Drameh, Head of International Cooperation and External Relations, and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Mustafa, Head of Protocols.