As part of strengthening cooperation and partnership between the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) and official institutions in OIC Member States, and based on IIFA’s objective of building bridges of cooperation and coordination with contemporary collective ijtihad institutions such as the high councils of Islamic affairs and ifta authorities, working together to provide effective solutions to contemporary life issues and performing authentic ijtihad on modern problems and developments, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Uganda Islamic Supreme Council and the African Forum which were represented by Sheikh Dr. Shaban Ramadan Mubaji, President of the two organizations, on Tuesday, 09 Jumada Al-Akhira, 1446, corresponding to 10 December 2024.

This agreement aims to build a strategic partnership in the field of supporting the scientific and research capabilities and capacities of both institutions by benefiting from the publications and resources, and it also aims to enhance cooperation and coordination in jointly organizing conferences and seminars, holding workshops, and representing the two entities in meetings and conferences held by each other in fields of common interest.

During the signing ceremony, the Secretary General of the Academy asserted: “We are pleased to sign this MoU with the Ugandan Council and the Forum. I am confident that we can work effectively in various areas of mutual interest. The Academy is pleased to invite the Ugandan Council to participate in its various educational and scientific activities.” He also highlighted that the Academy will send its publications to the Islamic Council so that researchers and students can benefit from them.

Sheikh Dr. Mubaji thanked the Secretary General for accepting the invitation to participate in the first international conference organized by the Council on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of the Council, stating “Under my chairmanship, the Council and the Forum will work closely with the Academy in areas of mutual interest,”.

To implement the terms of the agreement, both parties agreed to form a specialized committee to identify aspects of cooperation between them, as well as ways and mechanisms of implementation as envisioned in the memorandum, and both parties agreed to recourse to whomever they deem appropriate to implement all its provisions.

Scholars and muftis from different regions of Uganda attended the signing ceremony. It was also attended by government officials, diplomats, and a wide cross-section of Ugandan society. Dr. Alhagi Manta Drammeh, Head of International Cooperation and External Relations, participated in the ceremony on behalf of the Academy.