King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, seeks to establish the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema as a leading scientific institution for safeguarding religion and its sacred values across the African continent, the foundation’s Secretary General Mohamed Rifki said on Friday.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 6th Annual Ordinary Session of the Higher Council of the Foundation, Rifki highlighted the profound impact of the institution’s methodology and annual plans on Africa’s religious landscape.
The three-day session was held in Fez under the aegis of King Mohammed VI, who also serves as the foundation’s president.
Rifki underlined the importance of implementing the foundation’s strategies effectively, emphasizing the need for its sections in member countries to play an active role in designing and executing action plans.
These efforts, he said, should focus on ambitious, scientifically grounded programs that promote integration and ensure high-quality outcomes aligned with the foundation’s mission.
“The foundation remains committed to a scientific approach that ensures both performance and efficiency,” Rifki added.
Cheikh Boun Ly, president of the foundation’s Mauritanian section, expressed gratitude on behalf of African scholars for the King’s initiative, which aims to consolidate moderate religious values.
Ly noted that the foundation’s work fosters communication and collaboration among its various sections across the continent.
Malian member of the Foundation El Hussein Diakité praised the leadership of the Kingdom of Morocco, which has successfully brought together African scholars.
“This leadership is reflected in the sound governance of this honorable institution through its widespread presence across Africa,” Diakité said, emphasizing the institution’s unique approach to organizing such encounters. He stressed that one of its key objectives is to foster cohesion and understanding among the peoples of the continent, while contributing to the consolidation of political and social stability.
He underlined that the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema works to anchor the moderate and enlightened Islamic thought in Africa, as these principles are the cornerstone of progress and development.
The session concluded with the adoption of a final communiqué, approval of several projects, and the issuance of recommendations designed to further the foundation’s goals.
On the sidelines of this session, a special ceremony honored four distinguished African scholars in recognition of their contributions to the service of the Holy Quran, the Hadith Nabawi Sharif, the African Islamic manuscripts, and the Common Religious Constants.
During the same ceremony, prizes were awarded to 57 winners in the competitions held throughout the year, in various categories and levels.