Riyadh: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, participated in the 11th meeting of Assistant Ministers responsible for Islamic Affairs and Endowments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
According to Qatar News Agency, the Qatari delegation was led by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani. The meeting focused on strategic topics to develop Islamic and endowment work and enhance cooperation among GCC countries. Discussions included exchanging scientific research, pioneering experiences in endowments, and exploring mechanisms to improve expertise exchange and benefit from successful experiences at the GCC level. The agenda aimed to support the integration of efforts and enhance institutional work efficiency in this sector.
The meeting also addressed initiatives to strengthen the role of endowments in community development. Proposals included creating a national index to measure endowment impact, launching a GCC competition to raise awareness about endowments and charitable work, and developing mechanisms to showcase successful experiences in Islamic affairs. Furthermore, discussions involved a proposal on the architectural identity of minarets and mosques, balancing tradition with modernity.
Additional intellectual and cultural topics were discussed, such as enhancing cultural dialogue between East and West, establishing a GCC scientific observatory, and countering extremist ideologies. Initiatives related to the International Day of Endowments and their role in supporting sustainable development were also reviewed.
At the meeting's conclusion, participants adopted recommendations to strengthen cooperation and coordination in Islamic affairs and endowments among GCC countries. These include supporting expertise exchange and successful experiences, developing endowment work to align with contemporary changes, enhancing joint initiatives' effectiveness, and contributing to a unified vision on common issues to elevate GCC integration in this sector.