Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, highlighted the importance of the Emirates Fatwa Council as an official reference for Islamic rulings, during a meeting with its members.
Sheikh Mohammed wished the new council success, at the gathering at Al Bahr Palace on Monday.
''Our religion is a faith of tolerance and coexistence; [it] calls for building, development, communication and interaction with other cultures and religions for the sake of peace and stability, enhancing bridges of good and cooperation,'' said Sheikh Mohammed.
Members of the council said their selection was ''a huge responsibility”.
The council has vowed to protect the UAE from disruptive religious rulings that promote extremist and terrorist ideologies, by putting an end to fatwas that encourage terrorism, bloodshed, discrimination and hatred.
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Established as a result of a UAE Cabinet resolution in October, the Fatwa Council was set up in June. Members include prominent scholars and experts on Islamic Shariah.
The council will be the official reference for fatwas, and will oversee all work related to Islamic rulings in the UAE. It will promote tolerance in Islam and rule on developments and issues in the community.
