The second meeting of Their Excellences Awqaf (Endowment) Ministers in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States started here today.

The two-day meeting will discuss the major challenges facing those in charge of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in the GCC countries and ways to address them. It will also discuss the proposals of the GCC Awqaf Ministers' Assistants who held their first meeting here on March 1.

Opening the meeting, HE the Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Dr. Ghaith bin Mubarak Al Kuwari delivered a speech welcoming Their Excellences Awqaf Ministers in the GCC States and wishing the meeting success.

HE Dr. Al Kuwari lauded the keenness and guidance of Their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries on uniting stances, pointing out that this meeting comes at a critical time because of the ongoing developments at the Islamic and international levels.

More than ever, it has been confirmed that we are called to strengthen solidarity and coordination to secure our communities and guard our values against the ideas of extremism threatening our nation, HE said.

He pointed out that the previous meeting held in Kuwait in April of last year emphasised the necessity of coordination between the ministries and institutions of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in GCC countries and strengthening the cooperation to develop their administrative performance.

HE the Awqaf Minister stressed that Kuwait meeting resulted in promising prospects for the development and activation of scientific programs, and achieving integration.

The State of Qatar is honored to host the second meeting of Awqaf Ministers GCC States, HE the Minister said extending thanks to the State of Kuwait for chairing the previous session.

In his speech, HE Dr. Al Kuwari stressed the keenness o the speedy implementation of what has been agreed upon in the previous meeting. He urged all the committees emanating from the meetings to intensify their efforts and continue to innovate and propose new initiatives to serve the endowment sector and Islamic governance in the GCC countries.

His Excellency wished that this meeting will contribute to the prosperity and development of joint performance of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Sector under the guidance of their Majesties and Highnesses the leaders of the GCC countries.