Lebanon's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian hailed directives issued by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to increase the number of pilgrims in 1438H after delivery of development projects carried out at the Holy Mosque of Makkah. He praised the Kingdom for maintaining safety and security of pilgrims visiting the country every year.

The Grad Mufti made the remarks during a meeting with President of Umm Al Qura University (UQU) Dr. Bakri Bin M'atoog Bin Bakri Assas on Sunday, Rabei’ Al Akhar 10, 1438H.

The meeting was attended by Dean of the College of Judicial Studies and Regulations Saud bin Ibrahim bin Muhammad al-Shuraim, Dean of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research Dr. Hamza Ghalman and Advisor to UQU President Mr. Essam bin Hassan.

Sheikh Derian said: “The development and progress made by this university makes us proud and cherished by the great deal of development provided for Muslims in relation to the Hajj and Umrah studies and researches.”

The Mufti voiced hope that the Umm Al-Qura University (UQU) would establish a new era of cooperation with Lebanese Universities with regard for Sharia studies.

In turn, Dr. Assas welcomed the Grand Sheikh, saying the university is honored to take responsibility for a mission to educate Muslims from around the world about Sharia and Arabic Language.

The university received endless support from the leadership of the country and has successfully supervised many studies and researches meant to serve pilgrims through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Institute for Hajj and Umrah Research and the College of Engineering and Islamic Architecture, he said.

The president added that the UQU has taken steps on way to convert researches into patents, startups and knowledge and creative products according to the Saudi Vision 2030.

The university receives a number of Muslim students from around the Arab world in general and especially from Lebanon, he added. They enroll to Sharia and scientific studies departments in order to serve Islam from their countries, he said, saying the visit paid by the Grand Mufti and the accompanying delegation was important.

Dr. Assas’ accompanied the delegation in a tour at Wadi Makkah headquarters and listened to explanation by Wadi Makkah’s Public Relations Department Dr. Majed Abdullah about the sensors factory and the work flow mechanism at the factory.

A presentation was also given on the Wadi Makkah departments and projects including smart building and city technologies in addition to the technologies of health care, transportation and crown management.