The Conference of Ministers of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Islamic Countries, organized by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance in Makkah, discussed yesterday strengthening citizenship in the Islamic world and exchange of expertise in appointing imams, preachers, and muezzins. A session chaired by Minister of Islamic Affairs of the Republic of Maldives Dr. Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed, titled "Strengthening Citizenship in the Islamic world and its impact on the stability of Muslim societies, and Islamic specificity in the context of cultural globalization", included a scientific paper presented by Secretary General of the Association of Mauritanian Scholars Cheikh Ould Saleh, who stressed that citizenship is the feeling of belonging to the homeland, attachment to it, love for it, loyalty to it, and sacrifice for it. He pointed out that the state enjoys the loyalty and services of individuals and recognizes all its citizens' rights and duties. Another session discussed the ways of exchanging ex pertise in the appointment of imams, preachers, and muezzins, and the programs assigned to them and their responsibilities, with an overview of the experiences of the ministries of Islamic affairs and Awqaf in the technical and architectural specifications in building and maintaining mosques. This session was chaired by Undersecretary of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah, and Guidance for Projects and Maintenance Eng. Osama Al-Jaffal. Discussed was the Kingdom's expertise in building, maintaining, and renovating mosques in the regions and governorates of the Kingdom. President of the Islamic Council of Mozambique Sheikh Aminuddin Muhammad Ibrahim presented a scientific paper on this topic. Source: Saudi Press Agency