Saudi Gazette report

NAIROBI — Sheikh Muhammad Al-Issa, secretary general of the Muslim World League (MWL) and chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, underscored the vital role of the youth in the future of their nations and peoples.

Addressing the “African Youth Forum 2024" as a guest of honor at the UN office in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Sheikh Al-Issa emphasized that investing in youth is an investment in the present and the future.

In his speech, the MWL chief addressed some worrying statistics about youth, especially those related to education of girls, lamenting that depriving girls of school education because of their gender is the worst scenario.

The forum, which aimed to provide young people with a platform to discuss their issues with major religious, political and civil leaders, discussed a number of important topics related to the present and future of the youth. The forum delved into several topics related to the contribution of youth to dialogue, peacemaking, policy-making and sustainable development in their countries and their world.

In his speech, Al-Issa said that investing in youth is an investment in the present and the future, and it requires plans and programs, the most important of which are efficient education and training. “In this forum, we renew our determination to work together for youth who can be relied upon for construction and prosperity. We must do everything we can to invest in the capabilities of the youth,” he said.

The MWL chief called for finding out the obstacles that prevent young people from obtaining efficient education, and the collective responsibility to find solutions to them. “The most important obstacles in this regard are wars, poverty, corruption, inefficient planning, and family problems,” he said.

Several leaders of influential parties in the African continent, as well as representatives of international organizations, youth organizations and leaders addressed the forum. They included the Permanent Representative of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to the African Union, the African Union Youth Ambassador, the African Youth Ambassador for Peace in the East Africa Region, and the Secretary General of the Kenya Red Cross Society.

In a related context, the Kenyan Youth Parliament hosted a general parliamentary session in honor of Sheikh Al-Issa in the historic building of the Kenyan parliament. Speaker Moses Wetangula and members of the Kenyan parliament, attended the session.

In his speech, Sheikh Al-Issa highlighted the importance of taking into account the interests of youth when formulating future policies. He spoke about addressing the challenges related to youth in obtaining good education to achieve sustainable economic and social development. He also listened to the members’ queries and answered their questions.