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A newer, bigger Islamic Affairs council could be in the works:The Federal National Council (FNC) discussed yesterday two draft federal laws proposed by the cabinet on the Fatwa Council and the establishment of a new authority that combines both the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments (Awaf) and the Zakat Fund, Emarat Al Youm reports, citing a federal government memorandum. The council discussed the draft law during its third meeting of the first ordinary session of the legislative chapter in Abu Dhabi.
No fees for Islamic institutions + more Zakat payment channels: The draft law includes provisions on exempting mosques, Quran teaching centers and any affiliated facilities from all government-imposed fees, Albayan said, without clarifying what the fees are. The law also aims to develop the endowments sector and ramp up Zakat payment channels.
The draft law would see a new administrative council appointed for the authority, as well as a chairman and director general, Albayan reported.
Fatwa Council to be reformed: Another draft law proposes introducing a set of reforms to the organization and mandate of the Fatwa Council, the sole entity authorized with issuing fatwas in the Emirates, to develop the council’s legislative and regulatory framework toward “building a modern model for fatwas that responds to global developments,” according to the memorandum.
