Brussels: Europe and the Arabs

In a new step towards providing more services to members of Muslim communities in Europe, the establishment of the Council of Muslim Scholars in Europe and the United Kingdom was announced in Brussels. Just days after the announcement, there were numerous positive reactions in various European capitals. Sheikh Noureddine Ibn Said Tawil, head of the Council of Muslim Scholars in Belgium, was chosen as president of the council, Sheikh Muhammad Asaad, imam of the Islamic Center in Birmingham, was chosen as vice president, and Sheikh Muhammad Ismail was chosen as the new secretary-general. The council announced in a statement, a copy of which we received, that "Sheikh Noureddine Ibn Said Tawil, president of the Council of Muslim Scholars in Europe and the United Kingdom, has been invited as a guest of honor to attend the international meeting in England, with the participation of scholars from around the world. After attending the international conference, the president will tour England to meet with a number of scholars in different cities. The World Islamic Conference (meeting) in the United Kingdom 2026 will be attended by Sheikh Maulana Saad Sahib and his group." The Nizamuddin Center in India, along with a delegation of senior Muslim scholars from India, will also be participating in this meeting.

God willing, prominent scholars, esteemed sheikhs, and Muslims from all walks of life around the world are expected to participate in this historic gathering of faith, unity, and remembrance of God.

Location: Dewsbury Markaz Centre, London, UK

Dates: July 10, 11, and 12, 2026

"A Global Gathering for Faith, Unity, and Brotherhood." To further clarify the role and importance of the new council, a statement has been issued entitled:

Important Clarification – Regarding the Vision of the Council of Muslim Scholars in Europe and the UK

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

We wish to clarify to our brothers, the imams, scholars, and Muslim communities in Europe that the Council of Muslim Scholars is committed to serving scholars and imams on the European continent, with full respect for their schools of jurisprudence and their diverse intellectual and cultural backgrounds.

The Council is committed to:

- Respecting all recognized schools of jurisprudence of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah (the Sunni community)

- Uniting scholars on a common ground without fanaticism My doctrine
- Representing all moderate Islamic orientations in Europe
- Promoting unity in diversity
Vision for establishing the European Islamic Jurisprudence Council
Just as there is an International Islamic Jurisprudence Council in the Islamic world, we in Europe possess a select group of qualified jurists, scholars, and fatwa councils, which enables us – with God’s help – to establish the European Islamic Jurisprudence Council.

This council will be a scholarly and jurisprudential reference for Muslims in Europe, concerned with issuing legal rulings that take into account the European context.

Requirements for jurists in the European Council
In order for jurists and scholars to be qualified to issue fatwas in this council, we stipulate the following two conditions:
1. Intensive courses in learning English or French – to ensure effective communication with communities and institutions
2. Intensive courses in European laws and cultures – to understand the legal and social framework in which Muslims live
3. Active engagement in European society – so that the jurist is familiar with people’s realities, and thus his fatwas are realistic and applicable
The purpose of these conditions is:
- To enable the jurist to understand the questions directed to him in the language of the community
- To be knowledgeable Regarding European laws that affect the lives of Muslims:

- That the fatwas issued by the Council be appropriate to the European reality, while preserving the established principles of Islamic law.
- That the jurist serve as a bridge between Islam and European society.

We ask God for success and guidance in this blessed endeavor, and we invite all scholars, jurists, and imams in Europe to participate in building this project, which will be – God willing – a source of strength for the Muslim community in Europe.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.

For your information, we would like to announce that, within the framework of the ongoing development of the Council of Muslim Scholars in Europe and the United Kingdom, a national president will be elected in each European country.

Criteria for the National President:
- Excellent command of the national language
- Scholarly competence in Islamic knowledge
- Leadership experience and integrity
- The ability to genuinely contribute to the scholars and the mission of the Council

Procedure:

The election will be conducted in consultation with local imams and scholars. The final appointment will be made after approval by the Executive Office.

Call for Nominations:

Suitable candidates may be nominated through the General Secretariat.

For further information, please contact the General Secretariat.