Doha, August 27 (QNA) - The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, took part in the 11th meeting of Assistant Ministers responsible for Islamic Affairs and Endowments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 
The Qatari delegation was headed by HE Undersecretary of the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Dr. Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Ghanem Al-Thani. The meeting discussed several strategic topics aimed at developing Islamic and endowment work and strengthening cooperation among the GCC countries by exchanging scientific research and pioneering experiences in the field of endowments, highlighting best practices in Islamic affairs, and exploring mechanisms for developing the exchange of expertise and benefiting from successful experiences at the GCC level, in a way that supports the integration of efforts and enhance the efficiency of institutional work in this vital sector. It also addressed several initiatives and proposals related to strengthening the role of endowments in community development, including a proposal to create a national index to measure the impact of endowments, launch a GCC competition to raise awareness about endowments, charitable work, and volunteering, develop mechanisms for showcasing successful experiences in Islamic affairs and endowments, along with discussing a proposal concerning the architectural identity of minarets and mosques between tradition and modernity. 
The meeting addressed a number of intellectual and cultural topics, including a proposal to enhance cultural dialogue between East and West, the establishment of a GCC scientific observatory, and ways to counter extremist ideologies. It also reviewed initiatives related to the International Day of Endowments and their role in supporting sustainable development and strengthening the community presence of religious and endowment institutions. 
At the end of the meeting, participants adopted several recommendations aimed at strengthening cooperation and coordination among the GCC countries in the fields of Islamic affairs and endowments, supporting the exchange of expertise and successful experiences, developing endowment and institutional work to keep pace with contemporary changes and enhance the effectiveness of joint initiatives, contributing to a unified vision on issues of common interest, and elevating the level of GCC integration in this vital sector. (QNA)