The Minister of Islamic Affairs discusses cooperation with the Iraqi Sunni Endowment
As part of ongoing efforts to strengthen ties of joint Islamic cooperation, His Excellency the Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance, Sheikh Dr. Abdul Latif bin Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, met today in his office in Jeddah Governorate with the Head of the Sunni Endowment Office in the sisterly Republic of Iraq, Dr. Amer Shaker Al-Janabi, and the accompanying delegation who are currently on an official visit to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The meeting witnessed an extensive discussion of a number of files and topics of common interest between the two brotherly countries, as the two sides focused on reviewing ways to develop mechanisms for bilateral cooperation in various fields that serve the noble Islamic message and contribute to strengthening joint Islamic action in a way that fulfills the aspirations of the leadership of the two countries and serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples.
Promoting the values of moderation and combating extremism
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Sheikh reviewed the tireless efforts exerted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince – may God protect them – in serving Islam and Muslims throughout the world. He also highlighted the Kingdom's exceptional care for the Holy Quran, including its printing, publishing, and teaching, as well as its support for institutional Islamic work both locally and internationally.
The minister also stressed the centrality of spreading the values of moderation and centrism brought by the true Islamic religion, and the importance of joining forces between religious institutions in the Kingdom and Iraq to confront hate speech and extremism, and to reject all forms of fanaticism and extremism that deviant groups try to associate with Islam, stressing that the Kingdom has made the approach of moderation a fundamental pillar in its vision and advocacy programs.
Dimensions of the visit and the depth of Saudi-Iraqi relations
This visit is of particular importance given the remarkable growth in Saudi-Iraqi relations in recent years, with Riyadh and Baghdad witnessing active diplomacy and high-level coordination across various political, economic, and religious spheres. This meeting underscores the pivotal role of religious institutions in strengthening national and Islamic unity and building bridges of cultural understanding.
Coordination between the Ministry of Islamic Affairs in the Kingdom and the Sunni Endowment Office in Iraq is a strategic step to unify visions towards current Islamic issues, exchange experiences in the fields of advocacy and guidance, and qualify imams and preachers to be beacons of light that contribute to the stability of societies and protect them from foreign ideas.
Iraqi praise for the Kingdom's leading role
For his part, the head of the Iraqi Sunni Endowment Office, Dr. Amer al-Janabi, praised the leading role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Islamic world, commending the significant efforts exerted by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance in disseminating the true religious values that promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Al-Janabi affirmed his country's keenness to benefit from the pioneering Saudi experience in the field of Islamic work and to highlight the virtues and tolerance of Islam to the entire world.
