UNITED NATIONS, New York — An academic institution affiliated with the Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, was announced as a winner of the 2013 United Nations Population Award. The Award is given annually to institutions and individuals for outstanding work in population issues and in improving public health.

The International Islamic Centre for Population Studies and Research is attached to the Al-Azhar University, one ofthe most prestigious academic institutions in the Muslim world. Founded in 1975, the Centre conducts population studies and research in Muslim countries and is recognized by Muslim communities as a credible source of information on population issues. It also provides accurate information about Islam and dispels misconceptions, particularly regarding population policies and programmes that can be adopted in Muslim countries.

The Centre, which integrates population research, family planning and bioethics, works in all parts of theIslamicworld, as well as amongst Muslim communities in non-Muslim countries. It has also been active in efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation/cutting, according to documents submitted to the Award Committee.

The Award Committee, chaired by the Czech Republic Ambassador to the United Nations, Edita Hrdá, consists of 10 United Nations Member States, with UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, as a secretariat. Committee members are elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and serve for three-year terms. The current members are: Bangladesh, the Czech Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Denmark, Grenada, Jamaica, Qatar, the United Republic of Tanzania, Nigeria and Pakistan. The United Nations Secretary-General and the UNFPA Executive Director are ex-officio members.

Alongside the Al-Azhar Centre, Dr. Jotham Musinguzi from Uganda was announced as a winner. Both winners will recieve the awards during a 28 June ceremony at the United Nations in New York.