Addis Ababa : Morocco’s Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council signed, on Thursday in Addis Ababa, two cooperation agreements in the field of religious affairs. The agreements aim to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and are in line with the enlightened Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful.

The first agreement, approved by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, provides for the training of 200 Ethiopian imams at the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates in Rabat over a five-year period. The programme is based on a structured scientific and pedagogical framework designed to promote moderation and balance, strengthen spiritual security, and disseminate the core values of Islam.

The second agreement takes the form of a Memorandum of Understanding focusing on the exchange of expertise in the management of religious affairs and continuous training. It also seeks to enhance cooperation between religious scholars from both countries through the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ouléma and the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, with a view to promoting tolerance, coexistence, and coordinated scholarly action.

The signing of these agreements underscores the depth of the religious and intellectual ties linking the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as well as their shared African commitment.

Speaking on the occasion, Sheikh Haji Ibrahim Tufa, President of the Ethiopian Islamic Affairs Supreme Council, praised the leading role played by the Kingdom of Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, in serving Islam and advancing African cooperation grounded in knowledge, wisdom, unity, and shared values.

He further noted that the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ouléma has emerged as a major scientific and spiritual reference across the African continent. He also commended the Foundation’s initiatives in support of the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), particularly the organization— for the first time in Ethiopia’s history— of national competitions in Qur’anic memorization, recitation, and psalmody, as well as competitions dedicated to the Prophetic Hadith.

Sheikh Ibrahim Tufa emphasized that the two agreements constitute a practical roadmap for expanding the exchange of expertise, strengthening the training of religious personnel, organizing scientific forums, and promoting educational initiatives rooted in moderation and wisdom. He expressed the hope that this institutional partnership would contribute to the guidance of Ethiopian imams, Morchidines, and Morchidates, and support a broader spiritual and intellectual renewal.

For his part, Dr. Mohamed Rifki, Secretary General of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ouléma, stated that the signing of the agreements reflects the ongoing strengthening of religious and scholarly cooperation between Morocco and Ethiopia, in line with the far-sighted Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful.

He explained that the five-year training programme will provide 200 Ethiopian imams with comprehensive instruction based on scientific rigor and pedagogical excellence, aimed at promoting moderation, reinforcing spiritual security, and fostering the values of peace and tolerant Islam nationwide.

Regarding the Memorandum of Understanding, Dr. Rifki noted that it will enable 60 Ethiopian religious officials to receive advanced training in Morocco, in two phases, while gaining insight into Morocco’s centuries-long experience – spanning more than thirteen centuries – in the organization and management of religious affairs.

Said Chabar, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Ouléma, highlighted the importance of the two agreements in serving Islam both in Ethiopia and across Africa, and in promoting the values of moderation and balance upheld by Islamic teachings.

He recalled the role of the Supreme Council of Ouléma, chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Commander of the Faithful, in consolidating the principles of moderation and the middle path.

During the ceremony, Abdesslam Lazaar, Director of the Mohammed VI Institute for the Training of Imams, Morchidines and Morchidates, presented an overview of the Institute’s training programmes and their contribution to preventing extremism.

The signing ceremony was attended by several officials, including Othmane Sqalli Houssaini, Financial Director of the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Ouléma; Nezha Alaoui M’Hammdi, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to Ethiopia and Djibouti; and Toufik Ghalbzouri, member of the Supreme Council of Ouléma.