The Council of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy concluded its 26th Session on the morning of Thursday, 8 May 2025, at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Doha, held under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar.

Over the course of five days, the Session witnessed in-depth scientific discussions with the participation of scholars, jurists, and experts from various parts of the Muslim world, addressing the most prominent contemporary issues of concern to the Ummah. The closing session started with a speech by H.E. Dato’ Seri Dr. Syed Sirajuddin Suhaimee, Director of JAKIM (Islamic Development Department), in Malaysia’s Prime Minister’s Office, in which he conveyed the greetings of H.E. Dr. Anwar Ibrahim to the Ummah’s scholars and lauded the Academy’s pioneering role in establishing the methodology of collective Ijtihad, promoting intellectual and knowledge integration, and enshrining the values of tolerance and openness. He concluded his speech by announcing Malaysia’s readiness to host the upcoming 27th Session of the Academy. This was followed by a presentation by H.E. Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Zaid, Assistant Secretary General of the Muslim World League, reviewing the “Makkah Document” and “Building Bridges Charter”. On her side, Mrs. Sarah bint Amjad bin Hussein Bedewi, Director of Academy’s Family, Women, Children and Elderly Affairs Department read the OIC Women Declaration.

Furthermore, H.E. Sheikh Dr. Thaqil bin Sayer Al-Shimari, Vice President of the Session, gave a comprehensive review of the resolutions and recommendations adopted at the 26th Session of the Council, which addressed contemporary issues affecting the social, economic, psychological and financial realities of Islamic societies and communities, most notably: child protection, regulations on electronic games, artificial intelligence, Shariah governance of Islamic financial institutions, genetically modified foods, and stunning animals before slaughter. In his speech, H.E. Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano, Secretary General of the Academy, read out the Council’s Statement on Occupied Palestine, in particular the genocide and systematic starvation in Gaza, and strongly condemned these crimes, which constitute a flagrant violation of the most basic human rights and Sharia principles.

The Session ended with a touching moment of remembrance, in which the first generation of scholars and experts who participated in the Academy’s inaugural Session in 1983 were honored for their efforts in founding this institution and consolidating the principle of collective Ijtihad.