KUWAIT: The Ministry of Islamic Affairs on Wednesday hosted the 10th meeting of assistant ministers and senior officials responsible for Islamic affairs and endowments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, with Kuwait chairing the current session. Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs Dr Bader Al-Mutairi said Kuwait’s hosting of the gathering continues efforts launched in previous meetings to strengthen Gulf cooperation in areas including endowments, preservation of historic mosques, and services for people with disabilities. He noted that the ninth meeting, held in Doha last year, marked a milestone in advancing joint initiatives that reflect the noble message of Islam.
Al-Mutairi explained that the Kuwait meeting builds on past achievements by addressing new issues and formulating recommendations to further develop Islamic and endowment work, enhance the role of ministries of Islamic affairs in serving Gulf societies, and consolidate values of moderation and tolerance in line with the GCC’s position in supporting the causes of the Islamic nation.
In his speech, Al-Mutairi highlighted key proposals presented at the meeting, including those from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs on employing artificial intelligence in Islamic affairs and issuing technical guides for mosque construction and development. Kuwait’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs also presented initiatives to enhance the role of imams and mosques, such as setting standards for imams’ social engagement, introducing an intellectual security charter for mosque leaders, and promoting energy conservation in mosques.
He added that Kuwait also proposed initiatives to safeguard family values, including organizing a Gulf Week for the Protection of Religious and Moral Values of the Family, alongside a working paper on the philosophy of energy use. The meeting’s agenda further includes the exchange of scientific research and experiences in endowments, interactive seminars, and presentations of member states’ experiences in Islamic affairs, knowledge and science. — KUNA
