The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai issued 115 fatwas directly related to the Corona epidemic in response to the customers’ questions. Along with the official fatwas addressed to the government agencies regarding the cooperation to address the epidemic by covering the congregational and solo prayers, and Zakat al-Fitr, and 10 million Meal campaign. As well as dealing with the injured and setting priorities in the event of a lack of medical devices, and mechanisms for dealing with those who died due to the epidemic. IACAD mentioned that it has played a proactive role in terms of raising awareness of the jurisprudence provisions related to the Corona pandemic through media, and social media platforms as well as unified the broadcast in Dubai mosques.
Corona topics Tariq Al Emadi, head of the Fatwa section, explained that the fatwas on corona topics related to how doctors pray during working in the medical quarantine. The congregational prayer at home. The ruling on going to mosques for those who fear infection, or collecting prayers for those who fear prayer in the workplace. The ruling on fasting Ramadan and allegations that fasting and dehydration may increase the chances of infection. The rulings of zakat and donations for those whose services were terminated due to the epidemic. The ruling on visiting wombs/family in fear of the infection.
Four means for Fatwa “The means through which IACAD provides e-fatwas include: IACAD’s website, smart applications, e-mail to those who wanted an official fatwa. We have launched Fatwa Service via WhatsApp on 8003336, to facilitate the service and to make it easier and desirable for the community to ask about the fatwas they need to be explained by the Sharia ruling.” Al Emadi said.
2060 fatwa “The number of e-fatwas issued by IACAD since the beginning of the current year until now has reached 2060 fatwas, in five languages: Arabic, English, Urdu, Pashto and Persian. The number of muftis who provide e-fatwas are 18 muftis, while the total number of muftis team in the department are 25 muftis including The Fatwa Department and the Council of Senior Scholars.” Head of the Fatwa section said.
Intelligent Mufti for everyone Al-Emadi stressed that the Fatwa Department is in permanent monitoring of modern technologies that can be used to enhance the role of the fatwa and deliver it to the respondents. following up on conferences and news related to that, as well as using the expertise of the Information Technology Department in IACAD, which is in constant communication with Smart Dubai. the aim is to encourage the community to ask about its sharia, and to use all technologies to serve the community and accelerate access to fatwas while ensuring accuracy and reliability. “Fatwa Department seeks through artificial intelligence to provide a smart personal Mufti to each respondent who is available 24/7, to provide to the respondent most of the sharia provisions.” Al-Emadi said.