Saudi Gazette report

MAKKAH — The 9th Conference of Ministers of Endowments and Islamic Affairs from the Islamic Countries continued its sessions for the second day in Makkah on Monday. The conference emphasized the importance of investing in social media’s rapid spread for the betterment of society while being aware of its dangers.

The eighth session of the conference delved into various aspects of this topic. The session was chaired by Syrian Minister of Endowment Dr. Mohammad Abdul-Sattar Al-Sayyed. Addressing the session, Minister of Religious Affairs of Brunei Darussalam Badaruddin Othman advocated for supervision and monitoring of social media to safeguard it from those spreading deviant thoughts that could harm societies.

Earlier, chairing the seventh session, Omani Minister of Endowments and Religious Affairs Dr. Mohammed Bin Said Al-Mamari highlighted the developmental contributions of endowment funds and delved into the role of endowments in Al-Aqsa Mosque. Dr. Al-Mamari stressed the importance of the gross domestic product (GDP) for societies as a vital indicator of economic health. He emphasized that promoting and contributing to the GDP is necessary to achieve national aspirations, sustainable development, prosperity, and comprehensive national stability.

Deputy Governor of the Saudi General Authority of Awqaf Abdulrahman Mohammed Alogayyel spoke about the Saudi experience in caring for endowments, including the establishment of its authority. This body has had an effective impact on serving and advancing endowment work in various fields.

The ninth session, chaired by Egypt’s Minister of Endowments Dr. Osama Al-Azhari addressed the dangers of atheism and ways to handle it. In his speech, President of Bangkok's Islamic Affairs Committee Arun Boonchom stressed the importance of confronting the phenomenon of atheism due to its serious effects on society and the nation. He emphasized the need for educational and advocacy institutions to play an important role in addressing this phenomenon.