The closing statement of the 10th International Fatwa Conference, titled “The Making of the Competent Mufti in the Age of Artificial Intelligence—held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and attended by delegations from more than 80 countries—highlighted the vital role of sound fatwas in safeguarding societies and emphasized the need to equip muftis with both deep scholarly knowledge and advanced technological skills.

Key Recommendations and Full Speech of the Grand Mufti of Egypt:

“The Making of the Competent Mufti in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”

Closing Remarks

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, and may blessings and peace be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, our master Muhammad, and upon his family and Companions.

In the Arab Republic of Egypt, the proceedings of the Tenth International Conference of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide concluded—by the grace and guidance of Allah—on 12–13 August 2025, under the theme: “Shaping the Enlightened Mufti in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The conference enjoyed the generous patronage of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, reflecting the keen interest of the Egyptian leadership in supporting scholarly and religious efforts aimed at strengthening sound religious discourse and keeping pace with global developments in modern technology.

The conference was attended by distinguished participants from more than eighty countries across the world, including senior muftis, ministers, scholars, and experts who came to exchange visions and experiences, discuss the renewed role of fatwa in light of rapid digital transformations, and work towards preparing muftis to engage thoughtfully with artificial intelligence tools and technologies, utilizing them in service of societies.

Participants expressed their deep gratitude and appreciation to President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for his generous sponsorship of this global event and for his continuous support of religious and academic institutions. They affirmed that this patronage serves as a strong incentive to continue efforts to build a generation of muftis who are academically and technically qualified to meet the challenges of the age, and to contribute to the consolidation of the values of moderation and balance worldwide.

From the outset, the conference affirmed that enlightened Shari’ah-based fatwa is the safety valve of the Ummah in facing new developments, and that the preparation of a mufti well-versed in knowledge and capable of adapting to modern technological tools has become an urgent necessity. The religious sciences must always keep pace with technological advancements, while deepening the mufti’s awareness of contemporary tools so that he may fulfill his mission with gentleness, insight, and a firmly grounded scholarly methodology.

In this spirit, the conference stressed that the religious sciences must constantly adapt to technologies and new developments so as not to be disconnected from the realities of people and the dynamics of the age. This requires equipping the mufti with a deep understanding of modern technological tools so that he can remain attuned to current events and capable of fulfilling his mission with wisdom, foresight, and solid scholarly grounding.

The conference program included a series of scholarly sessions, research panels, discussion forums, and rich practical workshops covering the various dimensions of the conference theme. Five scholarly sessions and four specialized interactive workshops were held, addressing the Shari’ah-based and theoretical foundations of fatwa work in the context of artificial intelligence technologies. They explored both the opportunities and challenges presented by employing modern technology in fatwa issuance and religious education. Participants also reviewed applied models demonstrating how fatwa institutions can benefit from artificial intelligence tools while preserving the authenticity of Shari’ah methodology and respecting cultural and intellectual particularities.

As part of the conference activities, and in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the founding of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, a number of major projects and initiatives were announced, reflecting the Secretariat’s commitment to moving from recommendations to practical implementation.

At the conclusion of its proceedings, the conference participants agreed upon a set of core recommendations, the most important of which are as follows:

First: We affirm the centrality of the Palestinian cause and consider it the cause of all Arabs and Muslims. Supporting our people in Palestine is both a religious and national duty of the highest order, and there must be no complacency in fulfilling it. We call for intensified efforts by international institutions and governments to provide relief to the Palestinian people and to deliver urgent humanitarian aid without hindrance, in order to protect innocent lives and support this just cause.

Second: We stress the importance of Islamic unity, rejecting divisions, and rallying around shared principles, in recognition of the grave challenges facing the Ummah. We repeatedly emphasize that unity of word and strength of ranks are among the most important guarantees of resilience in the face of challenges. The Ummah today faces a major test in achieving its unity and preserving its entity. We therefore urge the scholars of the Arab and Islamic nations to renew their bonds and strengthen the ties of Islamic brotherhood, for preserving this unity is the guarantee of the Ummah’s future and stability.

Third: We call upon fatwa and scholarly institutions to adopt the highest standards of caution and precision in the age of digital fatwa, and to firmly establish the juristic and ethical guidelines governing fatwas published through digital media. Given the speed of dissemination and wide circulation, we are compelled to exercise greater deliberation before issuing fatwas. The vast reach of a fatwa carries the risk of unrest if misapplied. Shari’ah rulings must be derived from well-established scholarly sources so that the fatwa does not become a cause of discord within communities. It is therefore our responsibility to reinforce the regulations governing every fatwa published via digital communication channels, in order to safeguard the unity of our principles and prevent the fragmentation of our societies.

Fourth: We affirm that official fatwa institutions are the fortified shield protecting Sharia from erroneous fatwas and safeguarding societies from intellectual disorder. This further heightens the necessity of unifying their efforts and operational mechanisms.

Fifth: The conference calls for the establishment of strict ethical frameworks for the responsible use of artificial intelligence, rooted in the Islamic epistemological model. Islam emphasizes the importance of knowledge and does not oppose technology or the innovations of the ages; rather, it directs their use for the service of humanity. Among the most important of these guidelines are: consciousness of Allah Almighty, truthfulness and integrity in conveying information, protection of individual privacy, and rejection of any falsification or incitement that could undermine societal and human security and stability.

Sixth: The conference affirms that development and scientific progress are divinely ordained matters that should be invested in for the benefit of people. Accordingly, we call upon scholars to integrate artificial intelligence technologies into research and daʿwah by developing applications that facilitate access to reliable sources and sound references, and enhance the ability to derive rulings from their original sources. In this way, contemporary issues become studied jurisprudential precedents, through scholarly ijtihād led by specialists.

Seventh: The conference underscores the importance of jurisprudential foresight in addressing the developments of the age, by establishing extensive research programs to study future issues in order to anticipate them with firmly grounded Sharia solutions. The mufti must not close the door of ijtihād before knowing what technology and modern sciences may bring forth. Accordingly, we urge fatwa authorities and scholarly institutions to establish broad research programs to study tomorrow’s issues—such as emerging technologies, cyber warfare, and others—so that we may be at the forefront in deriving correct rulings and determining Allah’s judgment on new matters.

Eighth: We stress the importance of dual qualification for muftis—both Shari’ah-based and technical—by including skills for dealing with artificial intelligence and digital media within the curricula for preparing muftis and their training programs, so that the mufti combines deep-rooted Sharia knowledge with comprehensive familiarity with modern technological tools.

Ninth: Strengthening institutional digital work in fatwa authorities by developing electronic infrastructure, supporting the creation of interactive digital platforms for issuing fatwas, and activating databases and communication networks among fatwa institutions worldwide to facilitate contact and speed up response.

Tenth: Deepening cooperation between fatwa institutions, research centers, and international organizations with the aim of exchanging expertise, enriching joint studies on emerging issues, and establishing strategic partnerships with academic and technological institutions to develop fatwa tools and clarify Shari’ah rulings.

Eleventh: Combating hate speech and digital extremism decisively by developing mechanisms to monitor extremist content on social media platforms, and launching awareness initiatives to promote values of tolerance, moderation, and safe coexistence worldwide.

Twelfth: Supporting cultural diversity, consolidating peaceful coexistence, respecting local community particularities, and promoting interfaith and intercultural dialogue, making fatwa a bridge for communication between peoples; thereby strengthening societal peace and reaffirming the universality of Islam’s message in achieving peace and harmony.

Thirteenth: Developing artificial intelligence tools to serve moderate fatwa, encouraging innovation in fatwa-related software, mobile applications, and digital platforms, while ensuring the provision of technical and financial support for initiatives that facilitate access to sound fatwas in multiple languages. This aims to purify religious discourse from misconceptions and false ideas, and to make correct fatwas readily available in various languages and in a timely manner.

Fourteenth: Encouraging applied scientific research in the field of digital fatwa, supporting studies that explore the integration of Sharia sciences with modern technology to regulate fatwa practice.

Fifteenth: Launching awareness programs to educate the public about the dangers of relying on unverified fatwas from open platforms, and seeking Sharia answers from artificial intelligence applications that are not subject to review and evaluation, while urging the public to refer to accredited institutions.

Sixteenth: Integrating climate issues into the priorities of fatwa institutions and involving religious leaders in addressing climate change by activating the role of scholars and muftis in raising awareness of the principles of environmental protection according to the teachings of our noble religion, in addition to enhancing cooperation with relevant international organizations to highlight the ethical and religious dimensions in combating climate change.

Honourable Attendees:

Our firm conviction is that the true value of conferences is not measured merely by their convening, but by the practical steps that follow them—steps that translate their recommendations and outcomes into tangible reality. The conference truly begins after its curtains are drawn, when the platform for dialogue transforms into an arena for implementation, and visions and ideas move from the realm of theory into the course of application, ensuring the achievement of the intended impact and the fulfillment of the goals for which it was convened.

In conclusion, on behalf of the members of the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide, I extend deep gratitude and sincere appreciation to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, for his gracious patronage of this conference and his continuous support for initiatives to renew religious discourse and promote the values of moderation and peace. We ask Allah Almighty to grant him full care, support, and success.

Personally, and on behalf of my colleagues at Egypt’s Dar al-Iftaa, I extend heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the honourable attendees, each by name and title, for their kind commendations of the excellent organization by the Arab Republic of Egypt of this important international gathering, for their expressions of warm reception, and for the provision of all facilities to the participating delegations. We are grateful for their sincere prayers that Allah may preserve Egypt’s security, stability, and leadership, guide its leaders and scholars to all that is good, and grant the entire Muslim Ummah more unity, peace, and prosperity.

I also express my deep appreciation to my sons and brothers at Egypt’s Dar al-Iftaa for their sincere efforts that contributed to the success of this conference, and I particularly thank our partners in success—the journalists and media professionals—who support us with their honest pens and sincere intentions in fulfilling the mission of building sound awareness.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.