At the kind invitation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Chair of the Islamic Conference of Youth and Sports Ministers, and in coordination with the Islamic Solidarity Fund and the relevant organs and institutions of the OIC, H.E. Dr. Abdul Fattah Mahmoud Ibn Auf, Director of the Department of Research, Studies, Encyclopedias, Dictionaries, and Translation, represented the Academy by presenting a scholarly paper during the youth training program on “Youth Cultural Diplomacy and Leadership Skills Development.” The event was held on Thursday, 21 Rabi‘ al-Awwal 1448 AH, corresponding to 3 September 2026, at the headquarters of the OIC in Jeddah.
The program consisted of several sessions during which working papers were presented, highlighting the efforts of the OIC, through its various institutions, to support member states in the field of youth empowerment and capacity building.
The paper reviewed the efforts of the OIC, through the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA), to protect young people from deviant ideologies that incite extremism and violence, while promoting moderation and balanced thinking among youth. It emphasised the significance of youth in Islam, as this stage of life represents strength, vitality, productivity, and contribution. The paper also underscored the importance of safeguarding young people against deviant ideas that encourage violence, extremism, and terrorism. Furthermore, the paper discussed the major threats facing youth, foremost among them doubts and temptations, as well as the consequences of misunderstanding several Islamic concepts and legal terms, which may lead to deviant ideologies associated with excommunication (takfir), extremism, terrorism, and violence.
His Eminence also highlighted the Academy’s most important scholarly and intellectual contributions on these issues through its resolutions and academic recommendations. These efforts provide comprehensive juristic and intellectual solutions addressing the various dimensions of such challenges, while advocating the promotion of tolerance, moderation, and balance, rejection of violence, and the strengthening of mutual respect among followers of different cultures through constructive and equitable dialogue.
In concluding his presentation, His Excellency stressed that diplomacy should be grounded in a system of values and ethics. He called for greater integration of scholarly, intellectual, cultural, social, and political efforts to achieve the objectives of cultural diplomacy and enhance the capacities of young people.
It is worth noting that the programme aims to train and empower youth in the field of cultural diplomacy and leadership development, provide opportunities for them to build bridges and strengthen dialogue, discuss issues related to youth empowerment and capacity building, and raise awareness of the OIC’s efforts in combating deviant ideologies, extremism, and violence, while promoting the values of tolerance and moderation that are central to our noble religion.
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