Born in 1935 in Timbédwé, eastern Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Sheikh Abdallah bin Mahfudh ibn Bayyah grew up in a house of knowledge and piety, studying Islamic sciences under his father, Judge Sheikh Al-Hafiz Baya, and learned Arabic language sciences from Sheikh Muhammad Salim bin Al-Shain. He also studied the Quran under Sheikh Baya bin Al-Salik Al-Musawi, completing all Islamic jurisprudence sciences in this religious school.
His Excellency has served many positions, including: the Head of the UAE Fatwa Council since its founding, President of the Forum for the Promotion of Peace in Muslim Societies, President of Al-Muwatta Foundation in Abu Dhabi, former Head of Shariah Department at the Ministry of Justice in Mauritania, Vice President of the Court of Appeal, Vice President of the Supreme Court, and Special Dignitary for Religious Affairs under the Presidency of Mauritania. His Excellency proposed the establishment of a Ministry of Islamic Affairs and served as its first minister, in addition to holding the positions of Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Minister of Justice and Legislation, and Minister of Human Resources, with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister. His Excellency also served as the Permanent Secretary of the Mauritanian Party of the People, Head of Ra’zah Institute of Arabic and Islamic Sciences, Chairman of the Center for Renewal and Guidance (GCRG) in London, and head of the Shariah Authority for the French Islamic Finance Council.
His Excellency is a member of the World Commission on Scientific Signs in the Quran and Sunnah, the Supreme Council of Mosques of the Muslim World League, the Islamic Charitable World Organization in Kuwait, the World Islamic Conference in Karachi, the European Council for Fiqh and Research, the Indian Fiqh Academy, the Scientific Committee of the Prince Nayyef Award for Sunnah and Islamic Studies, the Higher Committee for Objectives of Shariah, a Professor at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, a Member of the Muslim Elders Council, Member of Al-Albayt Institute for Islamic Thought, and the Supreme Consultative Council of the Taba Foundation in Abu Dhabi. His Excellency has participated in numerous conferences and seminars worldwide, including the first Islamic Summit Conference in Rabat, the founding conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Algeria, the Arab-African Summit in Cairo, and interfaith dialogues in Rome and Madrid following the September 11, 2001, attacks.
His Excellency has received numerous awards, including the Order of King Abdulaziz of the highest class, the Highest-Class Order of King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Chinguitti Prize in Islamic Studies for his book “Dialogue from a Distance,” and the Mohammed VI Award for Islamic Thought and Studies. He was also honored by King Abdullah II of Jordan with the King Abdullah II Award for Scholars and Preachers.
The Council of the Academy designated His Excellency as a member of its Council in recognition of his scholarly stature. He has participated as a researcher and reviewer in various sessions and seminars of the Academy.
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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.
