Islamic World Leaders Focus On Strengthening Citizenship And Unity
The Conference of Ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Islamic Countries, held in Makkah, focused on enhancing citizenship within the Islamic world and sharing expertise in appointing religious leaders. The event was organised by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance.
Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, Minister of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, chaired a session titled "Strengthening Citizenship in the Islamic World and its Impact on the Stability of Muslim Societies, and Islamic Specificity in the Context of Cultural Globalization." During this session, Cheikh Ould Saleh, Secretary General of the Association of Mauritanian Scholars, presented a scientific paper. He emphasised that citizenship involves a deep sense of belonging to one's homeland, including love, loyalty, and willingness to sacrifice for it.

Cheikh Ould Saleh highlighted that states benefit from their citizens' loyalty and services while ensuring all citizens' rights and duties are recognised. This mutual relationship between individuals and their nation is crucial for societal stability.
Another session focused on exchanging expertise in appointing imams, preachers, and muezzins. This discussion included an overview of the programs assigned to these religious leaders and their responsibilities. The session also reviewed the experiences of various ministries of Islamic affairs and Awqaf regarding technical and architectural specifications for building and maintaining mosques.
Eng. Osama Al-Jaffal, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for Projects and Maintenance, chaired this session. He discussed Saudi Arabia's expertise in constructing, maintaining, and renovating mosques across different regions and governorates within the Kingdom.
Sheikh Aminuddin Muhammad Ibrahim, President of the Islamic Council of Mozambique, contributed to this topic by presenting a scientific paper on mosque construction and maintenance practices. His insights provided valuable perspectives on how different countries manage their religious infrastructure.
The conference served as a platform for sharing knowledge and best practices among Islamic countries. It aimed to strengthen ties between nations through collaborative efforts in religious leadership appointments and mosque management.
This gathering underscored the importance of unity among Muslim societies by fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support. By focusing on citizenship values and effective management practices for religious institutions, the conference aimed to promote stability within the Islamic world.
The discussions highlighted that fostering strong citizenship values can significantly impact societal cohesion. Additionally, sharing expertise in mosque management ensures that religious spaces are well-maintained and serve their communities effectively.
The event concluded with participants agreeing on the need for continued collaboration among Islamic countries. They emphasised that such conferences play a vital role in addressing common challenges and enhancing mutual understanding.
With inputs from SPA