The Kingdom's Grand Mufti and the head of the anti-corruption authority discuss strengthening cooperation against corruption
In a move reflecting the integration between religious and oversight institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and President General of Scientific Research and Ifta, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, received in his office His Excellency the President of the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), Mr. Mazen bin Ibrahim Al-Kahmous. The meeting served as an important platform to discuss ways to enhance joint cooperation in areas aimed at consolidating the values of integrity and combating corruption.
General context: Established efforts within Vision 2030
This meeting comes within the framework of the Kingdom's comprehensive national efforts to combat corruption, a cornerstone of achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.Since the Vision's launch, the Kingdom has taken decisive steps to enhance transparency and accountability across all sectors. The Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) was established as the primary oversight body, granted broad powers to investigate cases of financial and administrative corruption and prosecute those involved, regardless of their positions. The Authority's ongoing campaigns over the past years underscore its zero-tolerance policy towards any form of corruption.
The importance of the meeting and its expected impact
The significance of this meeting lies in emphasizing that combating corruption is not merely a legal or administrative procedure, but a religious and moral obligation rooted in the teachings of Islamic law, which prohibits corruption and calls for integrity and justice. During the meeting, His Eminence the Grand Mufti stressed the importance of concerted efforts among relevant authorities to raise awareness of the dangers of corruption and its devastating negative effects on individuals, society, and the state. This support from the highest religious authority in the Kingdom lends significant moral and societal momentum to the efforts of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (Nazaha), and contributes to building a societal culture that rejects corruption.
For his part, Professor Mazen Al-Kahmous expressed his gratitude to His Eminence the Grand Mufti for his guidance and ongoing support, emphasizing Nazaha's commitment to utilizing these directives to enhance its awareness and prevention programs. This collaboration is expected to result in joint programs and initiatives aimed at educating government employees and the general public about the Sharia and legal principles related to protecting public funds and promoting integrity.
National and international dimensions
Domestically, this integration strengthens confidence in state institutions and underscores the seriousness of the reform approach. Internationally, these efforts contribute to improving the Kingdom's image and investment climate, as combating corruption is a key factor in attracting foreign investment and enhancing economic competitiveness. These steps also align with the Kingdom's international commitments under the United Nations Convention against Corruption, reflecting its role as an active partner in global efforts to promote governance and transparency.
