The Emirates Fatwa Council has flagged a number of social media and online accounts for issuing religious rulings without the licences or permits required under UAE law, and has formally warned the operators to cease.
The council said the monitoring was carried out through its approved administrative procedure for tracking non-compliant fatwa content, in line with its mandate under Federal Law No. 3 of 2024, which governs the regulation of Islamic legal rulings in the UAE. Under that law, no individual may issue or publish fatwas through media platforms, social networks, or digital channels without prior authorisation from the council or a recognised local authority.
The law also prohibits the issuance of religious rulings outside permitted circumstances, the publication of fatwas likely to incite sectarian tensions or religious intolerance, and any public challenge to or questioning of rulings issued by the council itself.
The council confirmed it had sent formal warnings to accounts found in breach and called on their operators to regularise their status. It also noted that competent authorities are entitled to close premises or block websites that publish fatwas in violation of the relevant laws and regulations.
Beyond enforcement, the council urged the public to seek religious guidance only from accredited national institutions and official bodies, and to avoid anonymous accounts, unlicensed individuals, and unofficial platforms. It also asked people to verify the source of any fatwa before sharing or republishing it.
Monitoring operations will continue, the council said, in coordination with relevant government bodies, with legal action to be taken against violations.
