Founder and President of the International Institute for Iranian Studies (Rasanah) Dr. Mohammed Alsulami visited Algeria where he met with a number of senior academics and media professionals.
Dr. Alsulami initially met with General Director of the Media and News Complex (El Ikhbaria) Kamal Doha and discussed the history of Saudi-Algeria relations and Saudi efforts to support Algeria’s revolution. They also discussed the current developments and challenges facing the two countries. Dr. Alsulami provided an overview of Rasanah’s areas of research and activities. Doha escorted Dr. Alsulami to the headquarters of El Ikhbaria where he explained in detail the administrative structure of the complex and its branches: the hard copy newspaper, the electronic version, El Ikhbaria television channel and El Ikhbaria+ which covers news about the Maghreb region. He also discussed his future projects; including the establishment of a think tank specializing in the Arab Maghreb and its coastal areas. At the end of the meeting, Dr. Alsulami presented Doha with Rasanah’s shield and a number of Rasanah publications.
Dr. Alsulami also met with the Chief of al-Shaab newspaper Jamal Alami. His visit coincided with the 60th anniversary of the newspaper. They discussed Saudi-Algeria relations, particularly Saudi Vision 2030. Dr. Alsulami clarified the vision’s development dimensions and the milestones achieved. He also provided an overview of Rasanah and talked about his experience in scientific research. He presented a Rasanah shield to Alami and several Rasanah publications.
Later, he visited École Nationale Supérieure de Sciences Politiques where he met with its President Mostafa Sayyej and the school administrative staff; department heads, chairpersons of laboratories, the general secretary of the school, and the head of the library. The school president’s aide for foreign affairs Dr. Ibrahim Teqmonin explained to Dr. Alsulami how the school was established and its academic programs and admission terms and conditions. Applicants must secure 13-18 in Algeria’s baccalaureate exam. Pedagogy departments accept just a few students, so only accept students who achieve 17-20 and above in the baccalaureate exam. Dr. Ibrahim talked about the school’s variant education and training programs whether those conducted for its students or members of public or private institutions, which send their candidates to the school to obtain a master’s degree — specifically tailored to align with the institution’s purposes and needs. He also reviewed its laboratories: the African Studies Laboratory headed by Dr. Mustafa Khawas; the Public Policies Laboratory headed by Ibtisam Ushreen; the Middle Eastern Studies Laboratory headed by Dr. Masihaldin Tas’adet. Dr. Alsulami shared an introductory video about Rasanah and explained to the administrative staff the present achievements and future prospects of Saudi think tanks, specifically focused on Rasanah’s activities and fields of study. He also talked about Rasanah’s most prominent achievements which have been realized in a short period of time at the national, Arab, regional, and international level— Rasanah is ranked among the top think tanks according to the University of Pennsylvania’s Global Go To Think Tank Index (GOTTI) report. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the two sides. They expressed their desire to implement the MoU as soon as possible through holding seminars and mutual visits.
Finally, Dr. Alsulami, accompanied by the school’s administrative staff, visited the Central Museum of the Army where he was given an overview of variant historical periods of Algeria from ancient times up until the achievement of independence.
It is worth noting that Dr. Asulami participated in the Mafaheem show aired by Radio Algerie International, conducted and presented by journalist Marawan al-Nawas. In the episode, Dr. Alsulami discussed the concept of Wilayat al-Faqih, its emergence, development and significance in the Shiite seminary (Qom) and its relationship with concepts such as democracy and the nation state.
