At the gracious invitation of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), accompanied by Mr. Hassan Kumait, Director of the Department of Sessions, Conferences and Seminars at the Academy, paid an official visit to the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates in Rabat on Monday, 6 Safar 1448 AH, corresponding to 20 July 2026.

Upon arrival, His Excellency and the accompanying delegation were received by the Director of the Institute, Mr Abdessalam Lazaar.

Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Lazaar conveyed his sincere appreciation for the visit and presented a comprehensive overview of the Institute’s mandate, its academic and professional training programmes, and its continuing efforts to prepare imams, Morchidines and Morchidates to discharge their religious responsibilities with competence, wisdom and insight. He explained that the Institute equips its trainees with sound scholarly knowledge and intellectual skills to communicate the authentic teachings of Islam, promote the values of moderation, balance and tolerance, strengthen spiritual security, and foster peaceful coexistence. He further noted that the Institute serves trainees from numerous Muslim countries as well as Muslim communities across the world.

His Excellency expressed his profound appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to him and his delegation. He highly commended the distinguished royal patronage enjoyed by the Institute and praised the Kingdom of Morocco’s exemplary experience in the training of imams, Morchidines and Morchidates. He emphasized that such institutions play a pivotal role in consolidating the values of moderation, protecting societies against extremism and radicalization, and preparing qualified religious leaders capable of addressing contemporary realities and emerging challenges with wisdom and sound scholarship.

His Excellency further affirmed that the International Islamic Fiqh Academy, as a subsidiary organ of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), remains firmly committed, through its resolutions, recommendations and scholarly initiatives, to promoting the principles of moderation, balance and tolerance, while strengthening cooperation among Muslim jurists, scholars and experts in addressing contemporary jurisprudential issues and emerging global challenges.

He concluded by expressing his aspiration to establish closer cooperation between the Academy and the Institute in areas of mutual interest, thereby contributing to the advancement of Islamic scholarship and serving the interests of the Muslim Ummah.

Following the meeting, His Excellency toured several of the Institute’s facilities, accompanied by its Director. The tour included the Institute’s library and its rich collection of books, references and scholarly publications. He also met with a number of faculty members and students and was briefed on the Institute’s educational and training programmes.

At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Abdessalam Lazaar presented His Excellency with a commemorative plaque in recognition of the visit.

In return, His Excellency presented the Director with a copy of the Academy’s Resolutions and Recommendations as a symbol of the Academy’s scholarly contributions and its commitment to strengthening institutional cooperation.

The Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates is one of the Kingdom of Morocco’s foremost religious and academic institutions.

It reflects the special care and generous patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of the Kingdom of Morocco and Commander of the Faithful, may Allah assist him, towards the education, professional development and intellectual formation of those entrusted with religious guidance.

The Institute further embodies His Majesty’s enlightened vision for reforming the religious sphere, preserving the Kingdom’s authentic religious identity, and promoting the universal values of Islam founded upon moderation, balance and openness. It also contributes significantly to preparing religious leaders capable of countering extremism and radicalization while reinforcing their role in promoting peace, social cohesion and responsible religious guidance.

The Institute was established pursuant to a Royal Dahir issued in 2014. Its foundation stone was laid by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who officially inaugurated the Institute on 27 March 2015 as a specialized centre dedicated to the training of imams, Morchidines and Morchidates from the Kingdom of Morocco and from numerous brotherly and friendly countries.