Minister Al-Wasmi: Strengthening GCC Cooperation in Islamic Affairs and Endowments
Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr. Mohammed Al-Wasmi emphasized Kuwait's commitment to developing endowment work and exchanging expertise with GCC member states during his participation in the 12th Ministerial Meeting of the Cooperation Council in Manama.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Kuwait’s Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, Dr. Mohammed Al-Wasmi, affirmed today in Manama Kuwait’s commitment to strengthening joint Gulf cooperation in the fields of Islamic affairs and endowments, developing waqf initiatives, and exchanging expertise and experiences to advance endowment work, enhance its role in serving society, and achieve development goals.
This statement came in an interview given by Minister Al-Wasmi to KUNA following his participation in the 12th Ministerial Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Islamic Affairs and Endowments of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held in Manama with a Kuwaiti delegation led by him.
The minister said the meeting discussed several topics and initiatives aimed at developing endowment work and enhancing Gulf cooperation in Islamic affairs and endowments, as well as exchanging expertise and experiences among GCC member states.
He added that the proposed topics included the role of artificial intelligence in managing endowments and developing investment mechanisms to enhance their efficiency and maximize the utilization of their resources, alongside ways to promote the culture of waqf internationally and highlight its role in supporting community development and reinforcing values of solidarity and cooperation.
He clarified that the meeting addressed strengthening endowment partnerships among GCC countries and their role in community development, as well as discussing the governance of endowment institutions and its impact on improving efficiency, enhancing transparency, developing institutional performance, and exchanging scientific research and successful experiences in the field of endowments.
He noted that the meeting reviewed several Kuwaiti proposals, including the General Secretariat of Awqaf’s proposal to introduce a national indicator for the social impact of endowments, and the “Mafaz” competition project to raise awareness about waqf, charitable work, and volunteering.
He added that the proposals also included the enhanced concept for presenting experiences in Islamic affairs submitted by Kuwait’s Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, as well as a proposal on the architectural identity of mosque minarets, balancing authenticity and innovation.
He pointed out that the meeting discussed topics included in the agenda of the Standing Committee of Specialists for Islamic Affairs and Endowments of the GCC countries, as well as interactive seminars aimed at enhancing communication and exchanging knowledge and expertise among specialists.
He noted that the proposed topics included a proposal from Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance on cultural dialogue between the East and the West, alongside discussions on establishing a scientific Gulf observatory, a working paper on new developments in countering deviant ideologies, and World Waqf Day.
Minister Al-Wasmi expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting the meeting and its excellent organization and preparation, emphasizing that this reflects Bahrain’s commitment to supporting the progress of joint Gulf work and enhancing cooperation and coordination among GCC countries in various fields related to Islamic affairs and endowments.
