The International Union of Muslim Scholars (IUMS), during the closing session of its General Assembly, announced its resolution to purchase a relief ship that will sail in its name.
The 2000-tonne ship will carry up to 50 passengers as well as its crew, and have the words “International Union of Muslim Scholars” written prominently across its hull. The mission of the ship will be to travel around the world providing assistance and humanitarian relief wherever it is needed.
One philanthropist attending the assembly in Istanbul, Turkey has already pledged to pay one-third of the cost of the ship, while Sheikh Abdullatif Aal Mahmood seperately pledged 200,000 Euros to the project.
Also during the closing session, the founding of a public endowment for funding IUMS activities was announced, to which one million Qatari dinars has already been donated by IUMS president Yusuf al-Qaradawi. The endowment will be used for establishing a branch of the union in every Islamic country and every country with a strong Muslim presence such as India, Russia, and South Africa.
The IUMS also called for closer cooperation with Islamic bodies such as Al-Azhar in Egypt, particularly in light of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Tayeb’s appointment as its head.
Sources: IslamToday