Born in 1935 in Timbédwé, eastern Republic of Mauritania, His Excellency Sheikh Abdallah bin Mahfudh ibn Bayyah grew up in a house of knowledge and piety, studying Islamic sciences under his father, Judge Sheikh Al-Hafiz Baya, and learned Arabic language sciences from Sheikh Muhammad Salim bin Al-Shain. He also studied the Quran under Sheikh Baya bin Al-Salik Al-Musawi, completing all Islamic jurisprudence sciences in this religious school.

His Excellency has served many positions, including: the Head of the UAE Fatwa Council since its founding, President of the Forum for the Promotion of Peace in Muslim Societies, President of Al-Muwatta Foundation in Abu Dhabi, former Head of Shariah Department at the Ministry of Justice in Mauritania, Vice President of the Court of Appeal, Vice President of the Supreme Court, and Special Dignitary for Religious Affairs under the Presidency of Mauritania. His Excellency proposed the establishment of a Ministry of Islamic Affairs and served as its first minister, in addition to holding the positions of Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Minister of Justice and Legislation, and Minister of Human Resources, with the rank of Deputy Prime Minister. His Excellency also served as the Permanent Secretary of the Mauritanian Party of the People, Head of Ra’zah Institute of Arabic and Islamic Sciences, Chairman of the Center for Renewal and Guidance (GCRG) in London, and head of the Shariah Authority for the French Islamic Finance Council.

His Excellency is a member of the World Commission on Scientific Signs in the Quran and Sunnah, the Supreme Council of Mosques of the Muslim World League, the Islamic Charitable World Organization in Kuwait, the World Islamic Conference in Karachi, the European Council for Fiqh and Research, the Indian Fiqh Academy, the Scientific Committee of the Prince Nayyef Award for Sunnah and Islamic Studies, the Higher Committee for Objectives of Shariah, a Professor at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, a Member of the Muslim Elders Council, Member of Al-Albayt Institute for Islamic Thought, and the Supreme Consultative Council of the Taba Foundation in Abu Dhabi. His Excellency has participated in numerous conferences and seminars worldwide, including the first Islamic Summit Conference in Rabat, the founding conference of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, the Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Algeria, the Arab-African Summit in Cairo, and interfaith dialogues in Rome and Madrid following the September 11, 2001, attacks.

His Excellency has received numerous awards, including the Order of King Abdulaziz of the highest class, the Highest-Class Order of King Abdullah II of Jordan, the Chinguitti Prize in Islamic Studies for his book “Dialogue from a Distance,” and the Mohammed VI Award for Islamic Thought and Studies. He was also honored by King Abdullah II of Jordan with the King Abdullah II Award for Scholars and Preachers.

The Council of the Academy designated His Excellency as a member of its Council in recognition of his scholarly stature. He has participated as a researcher and reviewer in various sessions and seminars of the Academy.