Egypt to introduce a new law regulating issuance of fatwas: Minister of Endowment

CAIRO – 6 May 2025: Egypt’s Ministry of Endowment is drafting a new law regulating issuance of fatwas (Islamic rules), stated Minister of Endowments Osama Al-Azhari at the Egyptian Senate (the upper house of the Parliament) on Monday.

The draft law is being formulated in cooperation with Religious Committees in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, he said, noting that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi had previously emphasized the importance of addressing this issue.

“There is growing societal awareness and an urgent need for a strong legal framework that deters unauthorized individuals from issuing fatwas, which could endanger both public safety and national security,” Azhari said.

The Minister of Endowments explained that the draft law followed standard legislative procedures; it was first submitted to the Cabinet, which then referred it to the House of Representatives. As of today, the Religious Committee in the House has begun its discussions, signaling that the bill is now in its final stages.

He clarified that fatwas fall into two categories: general fatwas on national or sensitive matters, which are the exclusive domain of the Senior Scholars Authority at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif and the Egyptian Dar Al-Iftaa; and individual or minor fatwas, which are to be issued by authorized imams and preachers affiliated with the Ministry of Endowments in mosques across the country.

“As for major religious rulings, they remain strictly under the jurisdiction of Al-Azhar's Senior Scholars Authority and Dar Al-Iftaa,” he emphasized.