The federal decree formalises Dr. Al Kaabi’s leadership role at the council, which had previously listed her as acting secretary-general during international engagements. Dr. Al Kaabi joins a body chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah with the grade of minister and vice-chaired by Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, who also heads the General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat. The appointment aligns with ongoing efforts to streamline religious guidance in line with national priorities, a structure first outlined in federal legislation that granted the council legal personality and administrative independence.
Federal legislation published on the UAE government portal established the UAE Council for Fatwa to consolidate the status of fatwa according to the state’s national identity both locally and internationally. The law, which superseded a 2017 cabinet resolution that initially created the body, sets its headquarters in Abu Dhabi while attaching it to the Chairman of the Presidential Court. Its stated objectives include developing policies, legislation and directives related to fatwa affairs across the country.
The council holds sole authority to issue general, urgent and emerging fatwas on matters affecting the public, according to descriptions carried in official government sources. It conducts studies and research across fields of Islamic jurisprudence while offering opinions on related legislation and licensing individuals to practise as muftis. Training programmes to build muftis’ skills form a core part of its mandate, supporting consistent application of tolerant interpretations rooted in UAE values.
Dr. Omar Habtoor Al Darei, who serves as vice chairman, has represented the council at high-level gatherings, including a delegation visit to Morocco in August 2025 that focused on cooperation with Moroccan religious authorities, a report by The Gulf Today indicated. Those sessions examined regulations for public and private fatwas alongside the role of artificial intelligence in religious rulings. Such activities reflect the council’s broader remit that extends to international forums addressing contemporary challenges.
A 2018 assessment published by The National described the council’s formation as a response to a perceived crisis of unregulated fatwas in the Muslim world, positioning it as a central authority for rulings on government, business and public-interest issues such as organ donation and medical ethics. The body has since issued charters linking scientific advancements to Sharia principles, with one launched in 2023 addressing developments in health, economics, space and artificial intelligence. These initiatives underscore its function in maintaining regulatory oversight while adapting to modern contexts.
The council’s work gained further prominence in 2026 during the UAE’s declared Year of the Family, with Dr. Al Darei addressing an international conference in Cairo on family-related fatwas and their role in preserving stability amid societal transformations, according to conference coverage by WAM. His remarks highlighted the need for institutional methodologies, partnerships with experts and updated approaches to unregulated opinions. The appointment of Dr. Al Kaabi is expected to bolster these operational capacities within the established framework.
