On June 6 and 7, the Mohammed VI Foundation for African Ulema convened an international symposium in Niamey titled “The Commandership of the Faithful and its Role in Guiding the African Religious Landscape and Shared Human Heritage.” The event concluded with scientific recommendations focused on preserving peace, tolerance, and coexistence.
“This theme comes at a difficult time for the world, especially Africa, marked by religious disagreements. This gathering will shed light on the virtues of moderate Islam and its principles, so that peaceful coexistence and social cohesion can prevail among Muslims despite differing viewpoints,” said Ibrahim Hamgar, secretary general of the foundation’s Niger chapter.
Beyond academic exchanges, the symposium highlighted the strong cooperation between Niger and Morocco. “We must note the exemplary partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Niger in many vital and strategic areas, including Islamic cooperation. Among the projects illustrating this is the imam and preacher training program. From 2019 to 2025, 200 imams, preachers, and female preachers have received scholarships and two-year training at the Mohammed VI Institute in Rabat each year,” explained Mohamed Iboumraten, Morocco’s ambassador in Niamey.
Souleymane Issakou, secretary general of Niger’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, noted that “the presentations, analyses, and debates highlighted the importance of religion as a factor of stability, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and peace consolidation in African societies, particularly in the Sahel region facing security, social, and ideological challenges.”
For two days, Niamey hosted a collective reflection on the continent’s spiritual and human challenges, with a shared conviction: peace is also built through knowledge, dialogue, and mutual understanding.
The closing ceremony featured the reading of the general report on the symposium’s proceedings, followed by the adoption of a final communiqué and recommendations.
