Niamey hosts Mohammed VI Foundation conference on religious guidance in Africa

The Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ulema convened an international symposium in Niamey on June 6 and 7, under the theme “The Commandership of the Faithful and its role in guiding the African religious field and shared human heritage.” The gathering concluded with a set of scientific recommendations aimed at preserving the values of peace, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

Ibrahim Hamgar, secretary general of the foundation’s Niger chapter, explained: “This theme comes at a difficult time for the world, especially the African continent, marked by religious divergences. This meeting will shed light on the virtues of moderate Islam and its principles so that peaceful coexistence and social cohesion can reign among Muslims despite frequent differences of opinion.”

Beyond the academic exchanges, the symposium underscored the vitality of cooperation between Niger and Morocco. “The exemplary cooperation and partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Niger spans several vital and strategic fields, 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 benefitted annually from a scholarship and two-year training at the Mohammed VI Institute in Rabat,” said Mohamed Iboumraten, Morocco’s ambassador to Niamey.

Souleymane Issakou, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, stressed that “the presentations, analyses, and debates highlighted the importance of the religious factor as a source of stability, social cohesion, intercultural dialogue, and peace consolidation in African societies, particularly in the Sahel region, which faces security, social, and ideological challenges.”

For two days, Niamey became the stage for a collective reflection on the continent’s spiritual and human challenges, with a shared belief that peace is also built through knowledge, dialogue, and mutual understanding.

The closing ceremony featured the reading of the general report of the symposium, followed by the adoption of a final communiqué and recommendations.