Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani during the event.
DOHA: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, participated in the 11th meeting of assistant ministers responsible for Islamic affairs and endowments in GCC countries, held in Riyadh yesterday.
Qatar’s delegation was headed by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al Thani. The delegation also included Director of the Undersecretary’s Office Ali bin Saqr Al Majid, , Director of the Department of Islamic AffairsMohammed bin Jabr Al Mannai, and Assistant Director General of the General Administration of Endowments Eng. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Meer.
The meeting discussed a range of strategic issues aimed at advancing Islamic and endowment-related work and strengthening cooperation among GCC countries.
Discussions covered the exchange of academic research and leading experiences in the field of endowments, best practices in Islamic affairs, and mechanisms for sharing expertise and benefiting from successful Gulf experiences.
Participants also reviewed initiatives aimed at enhancing the developmental role of endowments, including a proposal to establish a national index to measure the impact of endowment activities and a GCC-wide competition to promote awareness of endowments, charitable work and volunteering.
The agenda further addressed mechanisms for presenting successful experiences in Islamic affairs and endowments, as well as a proposal concerning architectural identity for minarets and mosques, balancing authenticity with modernity.
On the intellectual and cultural front, the meeting discussed proposals to strengthen cultural dialogue between East and West, establish a GCC scientific observatory, and develop approaches to counter extremist and deviant ideas.
Participants also reviewed initiatives related to the International Day of Endowments and their role in supporting sustainable development and strengthening the community presence of religious and endowment institutions. At the conclusion of the meeting, participants adopted a number of recommendations aimed at enhancing cooperation and coordination among GCC countries in Islamic affairs and endowments.
The recommendations seek to strengthen the exchange of expertise and successful practices, advance institutional and endowment work in line with contemporary developments, and promote greater alignment on issues of common interest. The recommendations are scheduled to be submitted to the upcoming meeting of Their Excellencies and Highnesses the ministers responsible for Islamic affairs and endowments in the GCC countries for approval.
The participants underscored the importance of these regular meetings as a strategic platform for addressing shared challenges and aspirations, coordinating efforts and exchanging best practices in Islamic affairs and endowments.
They also praised the efforts of GCC ministers and the GCC General Secretariat, as well as the Permanent Committee of Specialists in Islamic Affairs and Endowments, in following up on joint initiatives and projects and advancing cooperation among member states.
