As part of her efforts to engage with partners in the Islamic world and around the globe to promote girls’ education at all levels and to empower women as essential partners in nation‑building and the consolidation of peace, His Excellency Prof. Dr. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary‑General of the Academy, received Baroness Harriet Harman, former Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls. She was accompanied by Her Excellency Mrs. Cecile El‑Belbeli, the British Consul General in Jeddah, along with several officials from the British mission in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meeting took place on Sunday, 29 Rajab 1447 AH, corresponding to 18 January 2026, at the General Secretariat headquarters in Jeddah.
At the beginning of the meeting, Baroness Harman expressed her gratitude and appreciation to His Excellency for the opportunity to visit the Academy. She affirmed that the purpose of her visit was to gain a closer understanding of the Academy’s pioneering role in the Islamic world and to help correct misconceptions about the status of women in Islam. She explained that her visit falls within her commitment to exploring avenues of mutual cooperation and discussing mechanisms to strengthen the partnership between the British government and the Academy in the fields of women’s empowerment, girls’ education, and peacebuilding.
For his part, His Excellency welcomed the Baroness and her accompanying delegation, expressing his pride in this visit and affirming the Academy’s commitment to working with relevant British institutions to promote peaceful coexistence and inclusive education for all—especially girls’ education. He noted that investing in girls’ education is an investment in the future of societies, given its positive impact on security and sustainable development. He also emphasized that Islam has granted women a high status and inherent rights, and that many negative perceptions stem from social practices that have no connection to the teachings of Islam.

The meeting addressed ways to strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual interest. His Excellency noted the Academy’s intention to organise a scientific symposium in the city of Jeddah in March 2026 on the role of religious leaders in combating violence against women. The event will be held in cooperation with the Muslim World League, with the aim of protecting women from all forms of violence and exclusion, and promoting a responsible religious discourse on this matter.
Attending the meeting on behalf of the Academy were: Mr Muhammad Al‑Munthir Rida Al‑Shawk, Director of the Cabinet and Protocol; Mr. Muhammad Walid Al‑Idrisi, Director of Media and Public Relations; Dr. Alhagi Manta Drammeh, Head of the International Cooperation and External Relations, Mr. Saad Salah Al‑Din Al‑Sammar, Head of the Media Division; and Mr. Amjad Ibrahim Al‑Mansi, Head of the Protocol Division.