Umm al-Qura University (UQU) hosted on Tuesday Ramadan 21, 1439 H corresponding to June 5, 2018 the annual 27th meeting of the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee under the theme: The Role of Institutions in Unifying Muslims- Union of African Muslim Scholars as a Model", in the presence of HRH Prince Dr. Bandar bin Salman bin Muhammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee, UQU President Prof. Abdullah Omar Bafail, UQU Vice Presidents, Deans of Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers, College of Sharia and Islamic Studies, College of Arabic Language and the members of Union of African Muslim Scholars representing 30 African countries. 

After initiating the meeting with a Quranic recitation, the UQU President Prof. Abdullah Bafail delivered address praising the role of scholars and preachers in spreading Islamic D'awa in the African continent  following in footsteps of their predecessor scholars and preachers who have had a clear imprint in the history of the Islamic nation for their contribution in this field. 

He stressed that such blessed meetings run by the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee under the chairmanship of HRH Prince Dr. Bandar bin Salman bin Muhammad Al Saud represent an outstanding model of charity and D'awa work. By such visits, he said the committee shows its keenness to promote brotherly communications between the scholars and preachers in Africa and their counterparts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to boost their D'awa performance. He added that Umm Al-Qura University is very keen to fully cooperate with the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee hailing the role undertaken by those in charge of the Arabic Language Institute for Non-Native Speakers and other colleges in the university. 

Wrapping up his speech, he prayed to Allah to perpetuate for this country its security and prosperity under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud, the Heir Apparent and their wise government.  

It was followed that Dr. Said Bourhane Abdullah, from the Republic of Comoro Islands, delivered the D'awa in Africa Committee's guests address saying that:" I have the honor in my name and on behalf of the my brothers the guests of the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation to the government of Saudi Arabia under the leadership of the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques, the Heir apparent and HRH Prince Dr. Bandar bin Salman bin Muhammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee for the services they are providing for Islam and Muslims". 

He added that the theme of the meeting is set to highlight the role of the scholars and their institutional works in upholding the unity and stability of the communities and in keeping them away from the intellectual deviation and ignorance. He went on to add that the theme of this year's meeting which goes: "The Role of Institutions in Unifying Muslims- Union of African Muslim Scholars as a Model" was selected to reflect such importance.  

This was followed by an address delivered the Chairman of D'awa in Africa Committee, Prince Bandar bin Salman bin Muhammad Al Saud, in which he lauded the role of Umm Al-Qura University in graduating scholars, preachers and knowledge seekers through the  educational programs it provides for Muslim sons in the African nations in such manner which boosted their D'awa role in their countries. 

He said that Allah honored us in this country under the leadership of Custodian of Two Holy Mosques and the Heir apparent to work in serving Islam and spreading moderate teachings of Islam adding that the committee conducted several meetings this year in Riyadh then Madinah and Makkah in which the African scholars met with their Saudi counterparts and took advantage of their expertise in D'awa field. Concluding his speech Prince Bandar praised the role of Umm Al-Qura University in hosting such annual meetings and in qualifying the preachers of the Muslim nation. 

Further, a lecture was presented under the theme: "The Role of Institutions in Unifying Muslims- Union of African Muslim Scholars as a Model", by Dr. Saleh bin Hassan Al-Mabouth, the faculty member in the Institute of Arabic Language for Non Native Speakers in which he introduced the institutional work its standards and basics and the role of the institutional work in unifying Muslims. He also introduced the Union of African Muslims Scholars and its role in achieving Muslims unity and highlighted the efforts exerted to achieving Muslims unity.  

At the conclusion of the meeting, the UQU President Prof. Abdullah Omar Bafail presented the university gift to  HRH Prince Dr. Bandar bin Salman bin Muhammad Al Saud, Chairman of the Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee. He also received Books of Editions of King Salman's Chair for the History of Makkah from Dr. Abdullah Al- Sharif the chair professor. Then the UQU President received a memorial gift for the  Islamic Call (D'awa) in Africa Committee. After that, the scholars and preachers were honored.