Ahead of Islamic cooperation 50th session: Culture minister, Islamic history centre boss review partnership opportunities.

Both officials met in Yaounde Wednesday, August 28. This was during an audience Minister Bidoung Mkpatt granted by Prof Mahmud Erol.

The meeting was on the sideline of the 50th session of Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, OIC. The session officially opens today at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon, IRIC. The conference will end on September 2.

Speaking during the audience, the minister saluted ties between Cameroon and the Islamic world, especially in the domain of arts and culture. Bidoung Mkpatt equally saluted the choice of Cameroon to host the session. 

On his part, Prof Mahmud Erol, recalled his decade long memory of when he first visited Cameroon while hailing the Cameroon’s legendary hospitality. 

“…some 10 years ago I attended an intercontinental conference here in Cameroon. This is my second time here,” Prof Mahmud Erol said. 

He said their interest remains “mostly promoting culture and arts education”. 

According to Prof Mahmud Erol, as the boss of the arts and culture sector of the OIC, they believe that Cameroon also has a beautiful artistic creative handicraft. He also said the country also other manuscripts which we have to be promoted in and out of Cameroon.

“…I am very happy to be here in the beautiful country. The weather is beautiful and I love my stay here,” he said.

He noted that during the conference which opens today in Yaounde, there will be two conferences; one for foreign ministers and that organised by IRCICA on Islamic traditional learning in the history of Africa in general and Cameroon in particular. 

During the meeting, he said they will focus on some historians, academics, professors from Cameroon and Africa on the history of Muslims.

The minister at the end of the audience offered a gift to his guest and took him on a guided tour to the National Museum.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3213 of Thursday August 29, 2024