The UAE Council for Fatwa stated that it is the only authority permitted to issue general fatwas in the country, in accordance with Federal Law No. (3) of 2024.
Fines starting from AED10,000 and reaching up till AED200,000 will be imposed on any institution that issues fatwas or religious rulings apart from them.
The authority further added that the penalty also includes the possibility of closing the violating institution, depending on the situation. In case of repeat violations, the fine will be doubled.
Earlier this year, UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed issued two federal decrees establishing the UAE Council for Fatwa and appointing Abdullah bin Bayyah as its Chairman, with the rank of Minister.
The authority is responsible for issuing general, urgent, and new fatwas on various matters, conducting studies and researches in various fields of fatwas, providing legal opinions on relevant legislation, licensing the practice of issuing fatwas, and training and developing the skills of muftis.
