His Excellency Professor Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary-General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, participated in the BRICS Religious Leaders Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 4–5, 2025, under the theme:
“The Spiritual Silk Road: The Role of Ethical Values in Building Bridges Between Nations and Continents.”

In his opening speech, His Excellency expressed deep appreciation to the organizers of this “historic and blessed” gathering, praising the efforts of Dr. Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Director of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities in Abu Dhabi, and Sheikh Rawi Ainullin, Head of the Muslim Administration of Russia and Grand Mufti, for their commendable work in organizing this timely conference in Rio, Brazil.

He also commended the thoughtful choice of the conference theme, which reflects humanity’s urgent need to draw inspiration from historical experiences in promoting values of mercy, coexistence, and solidarity. He said:

“This eloquent title encapsulates a bright era in human history, when humanity experienced its most prosperous and stable times, basking in the shade of peace and security—an era when tolerance prevailed over conflict, solidarity replaced strife, and cooperation triumphed over division.”

His Excellency then explained that the “Silk Road” was not merely a trade route, but rather:

“A vibrant bridge connecting civilizations, paving the way for dialogue, and enabling the exchange of knowledge and values.”
He emphasized that the merchants who traveled its paths did not only carry silk and spices, but also brought with them values of mercy, justice, loyalty, and tolerance, which he described as:
“The true currency of cooperation and coexistence among peoples.”

He went on to note that despite today’s technological and digital advancements, the world faces successive crises—conflicts, divisions, and environmental degradation—and that overcoming these challenges requires more than material power; it demands a commitment to shared values. He added:

“Material progress alone is not enough to establish peace and harmony; we are in dire need of a moral compass inspired by our universal human values: mercy, justice, dignity, and solidarity.”

His Excellency stressed that speaking of the “Spiritual Silk Road” is not merely a nostalgic look at the past, but rather:

“A vision for the future—one that builds solid bridges between minds and hearts, and turns diversity into a source of strength and richness, not a pretext for conflict and division.”
He said:
“If we instill in our hearts and minds the values of empathy and mutual respect, and build solid bridges based on them, they will be more enduring and lasting than any physical infrastructure.”

He concluded by emphasizing that addressing the world’s escalating challenges—from wars, poverty, and epidemics to climate change—can only be achieved through:

“A truly comprehensive and integrated embodiment of the spirit of solidarity, cooperation, mutual support, and assistance, grounded in the noble values of human advancement.”

His Excellency ended his speech with a prayer that this gathering would be a shining milestone in promoting that vision, saying:

“Trade routes may fade and disappear, but the ethical values and shared human principles upon which they were built will remain eternal and essential for the continuation of life and the enduring happiness and well-being of humanity across the globe.”