The Fatwa Council of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken action against several online accounts that violated rules concerning the licensing and authorization of private fatwas. The Council urged the public to seek religious guidance exclusively from accredited national institutions and official bodies.
A warning was issued to those operating unlicensed accounts, requiring them to cease issuing religious opinions and fatwas without obtaining the necessary license or permission. According to Federal Law No. (3) of 2024, which regulates the activities of the UAE Fatwa Council, such violations incur a fine of up to 200,000 dirhams, which may double in case of repeated offenses.
The religious body clarified that UAE legislation prohibits residents from issuing fatwas through various media platforms, social networks, as well as electronic and digital channels without prior permission from the council or relevant local authorities in the country. The law also forbids disseminating fatwas that could provoke sectarian tension or intolerance, or publicly challenging or questioning rulings issued by the council itself.
The Fatwa Council did not disclose the nature of the religious rulings provided by the violators or the exact number of such offenders. However, it was stated that competent authorities have the right to close institutions or block websites publishing fatwas in violation of current UAE laws and decisions. The Council emphasized that monitoring and control operations will continue, and appropriate legal measures will be applied against any violators. These efforts aim to strengthen fatwa governance, ensure legal compliance, protect the national religious authority of the UAE, and shield society from unregulated fatwa issuance practices.
Many Muslims periodically seek fatwas for religious guidance on issues arising in daily life. These rulings help clarify matters related to worship, family affairs, financial transactions, and other aspects of existence, allowing believers to make informed decisions in accordance with Islamic teachings. In the UAE, residents can request religious rulings through the Fatwa Council's website at https://fatwauae.gov.ae/en/home/, where consultations are available in person, online application submission, telephone services, and live fatwa sessions in mosques and seminars.
Currently, great attention is being paid to finding prompt solutions for issues that concern people, as well as establishing dialogue with them and conducting a detailed analysis of existing shortcomings and problems.
Dilnoza Kattakhonova, Deputy Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan and Chair of the Committee on Family and Women's Affairs, held an open meeting with a group of women. During this meeting, she spoke individually with each applicant.
The problems worrying the women, the reasons for these difficulties, the measures taken so far, and the practical solutions expected by citizens were discussed in detail. The appeals covered various aspects of life, including housing and social assistance, employment and job placement, family relations and legal protection, protection against pressure and violence, healthcare and children's education, as well as alimony and child benefits.
Special attention was paid to the appeals of women who are in a difficult social situation, have lost their provider, are raising children alone, or are facing complex health or housing situations. Furthermore, proposals and requests regarding ensuring employment for young women, realizing their professional potential, supporting entrepreneurial initiatives, and expanding educational opportunities were heard.
Each appeal relates to a vital issue, and the opportunity to be heard is the first step toward achieving a targeted solution. The Committee on Family and Women's Affairs continues its work to strengthen direct communication with women, listen to their problems on site, and find practical solutions.
As part of the celebration of the 35th anniversary of the state sovereignty of the Republic of Uzbekistan, a modern educational center for youth was handed over for use in the village of 'Turttom' of the Zomin district rural council in Jizzakh region.
This new educational facility was created as an important opportunity for rural youth to gain knowledge, acquire vocational and technical skills, and obtain modern competencies. Representatives of the district administration, village activists, public figures, youth, and members of the general public took part in the opening ceremony.
It was particularly emphasized at the event that supporting youth in the country, increasing their intellectual potential, professional training, ensuring employment, and encouraging entrepreneurial initiative are among the key directions of state policy. The new center is designed to help young residents of the village organize their free time meaningfully, provide them with modern knowledge and practical skills, and shape competitive specialists for the labor market. All necessary conditions have been created here for youth education.
The project was implemented within the framework of the 'Kumak' (Help) program, which allocated 130 million sums in the form of credit funds. Entrepreneur Akhmadali Ergashev ensured the high-quality completion of construction work in a short period, building an educational center that meets modern requirements.
This initiative is a practical embodiment of the consistent reforms carried out by the state in the field of supporting the private sector, stimulating entrepreneurship, and expanding educational infrastructure for youth. In particular, the 'Kumak' project, aimed at forming a modern educational environment in remote areas, has proven to be an effective mechanism. These projects are seen as a logical continuation of reforms in the country's youth policy. Of particular importance is the Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan dated March 26, 2025, 'On measures to implement the tasks set during the open dialogue with the youth of the Republic of Uzbekistan,' which defined priority tasks for youth education, professional training, involvement in entrepreneurial activities, and creating new opportunities for them. The educational center in Zomin district is one of the important projects ensuring the practical implementation of these tasks.
At the end of the event, the ribbon of the educational center was solemnly cut, and participants familiarized themselves with the modern classrooms, learning conditions, and opportunities offered to the rural youth. There is confidence that the new educational center will become a hub of knowledge and professional training for the youth of the 'Turttom' MFI and Zomin district, contributing to their development as qualified specialists possessing modern knowledge and skills.
The Amarnath Yatra has resumed after a six-day halt, accompanied by chants of 'Bam-Bam Bole'. Following improved weather and the reopening of roads, the caravan of pilgrims departed from Jammu early in the morning.
According to the agency, incessant rains began in Jammu and Kashmir on July 19. Landslides and rockfalls started occurring in the mountains, affecting the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The situation was so serious that the administration decided to temporarily ban the Amarnath Yatra to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.
The ban applied to both routes: the traditional Pahalgam route of 48 kilometers and the shorter Baltal route of 14 kilometers. Due to persistently bad weather conditions, travel along these paths was considered unsafe.
In recent days, the weather has changed: the rain has stopped, debris has been cleared from the roads, and movement on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been restored. Following this, the administration decided to resume the pilgrimage. Today, Saturday, a new group of pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu. This is the eighteenth group, comprising 6269 pilgrims, including 1470 women, 25 children, and 54 sadhus. The entire caravan was headed to the Baltal base camp in 223 vehicles under heavy security.
Currently, the administration has permitted travel only on the Baltal route; the group for the Pahalgam route has not yet been dispatched. This indicates that although the weather has improved, the administration continues to exercise caution. The Amarnath Yatra began on July 2, when the state governor Manoj Sinha sent the first group from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp to Jammu. To date, approximately 400,000 pilgrims have visited Baba Barfani, of whom about 120,000 traveled specifically from this base camp to Jammu.
If the weather remains favorable, the Amarnath Yatra will continue until August 28, which is also Raksha Bandhan. Thus, the current year will conclude on this day. The resumption of the journey after a six-day wait brought great relief to thousands of pilgrims, but the administration is closely monitoring the weather conditions, as predicting changes in the mountain climate is difficult.
