Doha: The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, took part in two significant Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) meetings focused on endowments and Islamic affairs. These meetings included the 42nd session of the Standing Committee of Experts in Islamic Affairs and Endowments and the 13th session aimed at addressing the image of Islam and countering extremism and sectarianism.

According to Qatar News Agency, Director of the Department of Islamic Affairs, Mohammed Jabr Al Mannai, led the Qatari delegation. The delegation also included Eng. Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Meer and other key representatives. The meetings were conducted via video conference and involved participation from various GCC member states, aiming to strengthen Gulf cooperation in the fields of Islamic affairs and intellectual security.

The 42nd meeting discussed several initiatives and proposals, including the "Gulf Endowment Week" to enhance awareness and the "Mafaz Competition" to promote charitable activities. The discussion extended to creating a national index for measuring the impact of endowments in society and improving governance and transparency in endowment management.

In addition, participants explored the exchange of experiences in Islamic affairs, the architectural identity of mosque minarets, and cultural dialogues between the Arab world and the West. These discussions aim to bolster Islamic institutions' roles in fostering cultural communication and openness.

The 13th meeting focused on presenting the true image of Islam and combating campaigns of hatred and extremism. Discussions included establishing a Gulf scientific observatory to monitor hate speech and extremism and developing tools for effective monitoring and analysis. The participants also exchanged strategies for protecting societies from extremist ideologies through awareness programs and cooperative efforts.

The gatherings emphasized the importance of developing joint initiatives to promote moderation, community awareness, and intellectual security. These efforts are crucial for maintaining Gulf societies' stability and cultural identity.

Both meetings underlined the necessity of unified Gulf efforts in Islamic affairs, endowments, and intellectual security, aiming to create initiatives that address contemporary challenges and reinforce the true image of Islam and the values of tolerance and peace.