The Minister of Islamic Affairs and the head of the Iraqi Sunni Endowment discuss strengthening cooperation
His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, met today in his office in Jeddah with the Head of the Sunni Endowment Office of the Republic of Iraq, Sheikh Amer Shaker Al-Janabi, and his accompanying delegation, during their current visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This meeting affirms the deep fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and aims to unify efforts in serving joint Islamic action.
During the meeting, a number of topics of common interest were discussed, and ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Ministry and the Sunni Endowment Office were reviewed, particularly in areas related to serving Islam and Muslims, caring for mosques, and exchanging experiences in advocacy and guidance matters.
The Kingdom's efforts in spreading moderation
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Sheikh reviewed the significant efforts undertaken by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – in serving Islam and Muslims across the globe. He highlighted the meticulous care given to the Holy Quran in terms of printing, publishing, and teaching, in addition to supporting Islamic work both locally and internationally according to a clear methodology based on disseminating the values of moderation and combating extremism and fanaticism, and strengthening cooperation with sister nations in a way that serves the causes of the Islamic Ummah and achieves its security and stability.
Iraqi praise for the Saudi role
For his part, the head of the Iraqi Sunni Endowment Office, Amer al-Janabi, commended the leading role played by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in serving Islam and Muslims worldwide. He praised the programs and initiatives launched by the Ministry to disseminate the tolerant religious values that promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence, and reject all forms of extremism and fanaticism. He emphasized that the Kingdom represents the heart of the Islamic world and is the custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, which gives its efforts a profound impact in correcting misconceptions and highlighting the virtues of the true Islamic faith.
The context of Saudi-Iraqi relations
This visit is of particular importance given the remarkable growth in Saudi-Iraqi relations in recent years, which have witnessed significant progress through the Saudi-Iraqi Coordination Council. Cooperation in the religious and outreach fields is a cornerstone for strengthening ties between the two brotherly nations and confronting the intellectual challenges facing the region. Religious institutions in both countries are working to protect youth from extremist ideologies and promote an enlightened religious discourse that unites rather than divides.
This meeting reflects the keenness of religious leaders in the Kingdom and Iraq to continue joint coordination, especially on issues that affect the identity of the Islamic nation, and to work on joint projects aimed at qualifying preachers, imams and orators to be beacons of light and guidance in their societies, in a way that enhances social and intellectual stability in the entire region.
