Organisation of Islamic Cooperation
The Collective Voice of The Muslim World
Date: 14/12/2022
At its ninth annual meeting, held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, the Islamic Advisory Group (IAG) reaffirmed its commitment to address the current and emerging challenges in public health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and beyond, and ways to leverage faith in dispelling misconceptions about public health.
The International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) , Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) participated in the meeting. The meeting discussed the topic of “Partnering for Change and leveraging faith to promote public health”. It also highlighted role of IAG and its partners in engaging local communities throughout the region, for promoting public health.
The meeting also discussed expanding the IAG role, building on its successes and the lessons learnt from polio and COVID-19 response interventions. The IAG reorientation hinged on engaging religious leaders and scholars in ensuring greater engagement on broader public health issues related to maternal and child health, routine immunization, and healthy lifestyles. IAG new vision is designed to promote the health and well-being of Muslim communities and the population in general, by advocating Islamic tenants to establish a sense of responsibility towards, public health interventions. This included expanding the network of Islamic academic institutions, as well as the geographical coverage of IAG interventions beyond EMRO regions, particularly the Sahel.
Speaking on behalf of H.E. Mr. Hissein Brahim Taha, OIC Secretary-General, H.E. Ambassador Tariq Ali Bakhit, OIC Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs, pointed out that IAG reorientation plans, particularly regarding expanding its geographical coverage, would enrich the work of the Group and benefit the local communities concerned.
The meeting addressed by Dr. Abbas Shoman, former Azhar Grand Imam's Deputy, member of the Islamic Research Academy, Dr. Saleh bin Abdullah bin Hamid, IIFA President member of the Council of Senior Scholars, Mr. Muhammad Jamal Al-Saati, Special Adviser to the President of the IsDB Group, and Dr. Shawky Allam, Grand Mufti of Egypt, and Dr. Rana Al-Hajja, ENRO Director of Program Management.
