The UAE Council for Fatwa has organized today a press conference to announce the details and agenda of its Second International Conference, which will take place on the 7th and 8th of November 2023 in Abu Dhabi, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Chairmanship of His Excellency Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the UAE Council for Fatwa, under the title, “Towards Sharīʿa Conceptualization of Scientific Developments: Civilizational Methodology, Real-World Applications, and Ethics of Sustainability”.
The Conference is one of the main strategic initiatives of the UAE Council for Fatwa, through which the Council seeks to develop a global scholarly platform of interactive knowledge, in which a number of intellectuals and experts in Sharīʿah and natural sciences meet to arrive at realistic approaches and solutions that apply to contemporary scientific and technological developments that have become intertwined with today's societies, along with consideration of the future, providing Fatwa that contributes effectively to the sustainability of development and prosperity of communities.
At the beginning of the press conference, His Excellency Dr. Omar Habtoor Al-Darei, Director General of the UAE Council for Fatwa, congratulated the UAE’s wise leadership and the Arab and Islamic world on the occasion of the birthdate anniversary of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), and conveyed the greetings of H.E. Abdullah bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Council, to all distinguished attendees.
H.E. Al-Darei said: “The United Arab Emirates, under the leadership of His Highness the President of the UAE, has achieved a highly esteemed and advanced position in various fields. For this, the UAE Council for Fatwa has identified the undeniable need for it to assume its responsibility and perform its role in accordance with the national strategies and directions through the auspices of this Conference.”
“Through this Conference, the Council seeks to develop a global platform that sets the scene for scholarly research, as well as knowledge gathering and dialogue where opinions can be exchanged, ideas presented and discussed, languages synchronized, challenges analyzed, blogs enriched with moderated content, and Sharīʿah law aligned with various fields of human and natural sciences.
The Council aims to achieve a desirable and intentional integration with which we can reach a realistic perception and legitimate Sharīʿah approach that applies to contemporary scientific and technological developments that have become intertwined with today's societies, along with consideration of the future, providing Fatwa that contribute effectively to the sustainability of development and prosperity of communities,” H.E. Al-Darei added.
He also stated that more than 160 scholars, scientific and intellectual personalities will participate, representing more than 50 countries, in addition to 71 Fatwa bodies from around the world. The Council, he said, will work to promote the integration of relevant agencies, Fatwa institutions and specialized scholarly and research bodies to achieve the necessary openness to scientific disciplines in the fields of space, medicine, climate change, artificial intelligence, and others.
The Conference seeks to exchange knowledge, expertise and findings among Fatwa institutions to tackle scientific developments and create a supportive environment for the establishment of research and practice facilities in collaboration and coordination with various academic institutions.
The Director General of the UAE Council for Fatwa expressed appreciation of the role of media institutions to contribute to the success of the conference as the Council has high expectations when it comes to covering this event and communicating its vision and mission both within the UAE and globally, which reflects the vision and aspirations of our wise leadership.
For this occasion, H.E. Al-Darei announced that the Emirates News Agency (WAM) is a strategic media partner for the conference.For his part, His Excellency Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM), expressed his deep appreciation of the efforts of the UAE Council for Fatwa in serving righteous Islamic beliefs, the beloved nation, and the wise leadership through its valuable initiatives that instils confidence of the UAE community members in the Council.
His Excellency emphasized the significance of the Second International Conference of the UAE Council for Fatwa and its significant theme, which plays a vital role in promoting awareness that will pave the way to achieve sustainable development goals and guided by honorable Islamic teachings that prioritize noble human values in every aspect, in line with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability.
In this regard, H.E. noted that the Emirates News Agency (WAM), through its strategic partnership with the UAE Council for Fatwa, is very keen to contribute to the success of the Second International Conference. He highlighted its importance and the necessity of placing WAM’s news followers at the heart of the event by ensuring coverage of the most important developments, recommendations, and discussions taking place.
This will exemplify the leading role played by the UAE in the field of scientific developments, and the state’s devotion to contemporary cultural jurisprudence based on the teachings of Islam.The agenda of the Conference include: Issuing fatwas regarding scientific and technological developments towards a disciplined and sustainable methodology that interacts with human needs, Fatwas in the field of space and climate and their consideration of scientific developments, Fatwas in the field of medical issues and their consideration of scientific developments, Fatwas in cases of family medicine and their consideration of scientific developments, and Fatwas in the field of artificial intelligence and their consideration of scientific developments.
The Second International Conference will provide a global platform that emphasizes the leading role of the UAE in the field of scientific and technological developments, as well as showcase openness to various scientific fields and cultures while ensuring that national values emanating from the teachings of our faithful religion and noble humanitarian principles are properly upheld and applied.
It will also discuss enhancing the role of Fatwa bodies in the field of cultural jurisprudence and Sharīʿah knowledge, keeping pace with the latest developments, activating the tools of cultural jurisprudential diligence, and applying latest solutions and approaches that accommodate the rapid scientific and technological progress in today’s societies.