“This mission is far more important now than before as a result of the increasing challenges faced by the Ummah,” said Ahmed Muhammad Ali while addressing Muslim community leaders from various countries.

“We consider you as ambassadors of IDB and request you to carry its mission to your countries and communities,” the president said at the concluding session of a three-day community development workshop organized by the bank.

Ali said Muslim NGOs have a big role to play in realizing the bank’s mission and objectives. “I have great pleasure to welcome you to the IDB, which is an institution of the Ummah. You came here because you believed in the bank’s mission.”

Ali urged Muslim community leaders to inspire youths who are the future of the Ummah and requested them to send ideas and proposals to strengthen the bank to serve Muslims in a better manner.

The president agreed to revoke a 12-year-old regulation that bans NGO representatives from participating in IDB community development workshops more than once. The decision came after Aisha Lemu, a participant from Nigeria, requested the president to review the rule.

“Sister Aisha, I admire your spirit and enthusiasm and we are happy to welcome you to attend the workshop in the coming years,” the president said to the applause of delegates from 15 countries.

Speaking at the concluding session, Lemu said she was blessed to attend the workshop after performing Haj. “It has been instrumental in broadening the horizons of our community leaders,” she said, expressing hope that they would implement what they have learned in their respective communities.

Jamal Muhiyuddin Alwaye, who spoke representing male participants, thanked IDB for organizing such an effective and useful program. “It was an eye opener for community leaders and contributed to enhancing their knowledge and management capabilities,” he added.

Malek Shah Yusoff, manager scholarship division, sought the help of Muslim NGOs to take the IDB mission and message to their respective countries. Earlier, Abdullah Mamoon Al-Azami, a community development specialist and chief organizer, welcomed the president and commended his sincere endeavors to strengthening the bank.

Muhammad Siddik, head of the supervisory body of UAI, an enterprising university in Indonesia, also attended the event being the first director of the IDB scholarship program. He said the Qur’an and Sunnah have given utmost importance to the promotion of science and technology and noted the great contributions made by Muslim scientists to world civilization.

An Indian community leader, Abulfateh Quadri, requested officials of the IDB scholarship program to simplify the selection process and give it wide publicity in order for more deserving students to benefit from it. There were also proposals that IDB officials accept scholarship applications directly, instead of channeling them through its offices in various countries, to avoid delays.