As part of his official visit to the United Kingdom, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, held an official meeting with H.E. Mr. David Smith, the UK Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion, on Tuesday, 20 Muharam 1447, corresponding to 15 July 2025, at the British Foreign Office, London.
The meeting was dedicated to discussing ways to strengthen cooperation between the two sides in the fields of protecting religious freedoms, upholding the principle of freedom of religion and belief, combating hate speech and extremism, and confronting the phenomenon of Islamophobia. The meeting also addressed supporting efforts to promote understanding and coexistence among followers of different religions and cultures through joint initiatives and constructive civilizational dialogue.
The Secretary General of the Academy expressed his profound appreciation to the British government for its generous support of the Muslim community and its keenness to empower it to contribute effectively to the progress and development of British society. He praised the UK’s distinguished model in embracing religious and cultural diversity. The Secretary General also discussed the efforts undertaken by the Academy to entrench the principles of moderation and balance, combat extremist ideologies, and promote a culture of peaceful coexistence. He noted that the Academy had signed cooperation agreements with several prestigious institutions in the UK, including the University of Birmingham and the Islamic Cultural Centre in London, to enhance academic and intellectual collaboration and the exchange of expertise.
For his part, H.E. Mr. David Smith commended the pioneering role played by the Academy in fostering mutual understanding and spreading moderate discourse. He affirmed the United Kingdom’s desire to expand avenues of cooperation with credible and leading Islamic institutions such as the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.
At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to continue coordination and intensify joint efforts through programs and initiatives that contribute to promoting tolerance, safeguarding religious freedoms, and enhancing dialogue among followers of different religions and sects across the world.
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Secretary‑General of the Academy Visits the Consulate General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan His Excellency Professor Dr. Qutb Mustafa Sano, Secretary‑General of the Academy, paid an official visit on 29 Sha‘ban 1447 AH, corresponding to 17 February 2026, to the Consulate General of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Jeddah. His Excellency and his accompanying delegation were received by His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Salah Sobhi Hameed, Consul General and Permanent Representative of Jordan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, who welcomed him warmly and expressed his pleasure at the visit. He praised the distinguished intellectual efforts undertaken by the Academy under His Excellency’s leadership in addressing numerous religious and intellectual issues of concern to the Islamic world, affirming his personal honor in meeting His Excellency again and Jordan’s keenness to strengthen channels of communication and cooperation with the Academy, especially in areas of mutual interest. For his part, His Excellency expressed his deep gratitude and great appreciation to the Ambassador for the warm reception and generous hospitality. He commended the tremendous support, gracious care, and continuous attention the Academy has received from the leadership and people of Jordan since its establishment. He also conveyed his sincere appreciation for the Ambassador’s recent visit to the Academy, affirming the Academy’s full readiness to do everything that would enhance partnership, cooperation, coordination, and communication between the Academy and Jordanian religious and academic institutions. His Excellency was accompanied by Mr. Mohammed Al‑Mundhir Rida Al‑Shawk, Director of the Office and Protocol; Mr. Mohammed Waleed Al‑Idrisi, Director of Media and Public Relations; Ms. Sarah Amjad Badawi, Director of the Department of Family, Women, Children, and the Elderly; and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Al‑Mansi, Head of the Protocol Section.
