The Islamic world, home to nearly two billion people, represents not only one of the largest global communities, but one of the youngest. In many Muslim-majority countries, more than 60 per cent of the population is under 30 years of age. By 2030, Muslims will make up more than 25 per cent of the global population, based on UN data. That demographic future is now colliding with another unstoppable force: artificial intelligence.
AI is not simply a new technology – it is the new language of power. As it rapidly transforms how we work, learn, govern and live, Muslim societies face a stark choice: shape the system or be shaped by it. Muslim societies must not repeat the mistake of being passive adopters of technological innovations such as smart phones and social media designed elsewhere. We must participate in the architectural design of the digital world and ensure that our cultural, legal and ethical DNA is encoded into its foundations.
And yet, we are already falling behind.
More than 89 per cent of AI training data today comes from English-language sources. Islamic perspectives on ethics, finance, governance, gender and education are practically absent from the datasets feeding today’s most powerful AI models. The consequence is not just cultural erasure, it is algorithmic bias with real-world impact. Hijab-wearing women are likely to be misidentified by facial recognition tools. Islamic financial institutions can find it difficult to adopt credit-scoring models trained on interest-based frameworks. Generative AI platforms routinely exclude, misinterpret or marginalise Islamic content in education and the media.
This is not merely a technical issue. It is a strategic risk for the Islamic world – and a historic opportunity.
There needs to be an AI Fatwa Council – a multidisciplinary body of scholars, technologists and ethicists that can provide authoritative guidance on how to govern, apply and develop artificial intelligence in accordance with Islamic values. This is not to limit innovation but to accelerate it responsibly.
Islamic jurisprudence has always embraced the intersection of ethics and technology, from rulings on in vitro fertilisation, and organ transplants to blockchain and digital currencies. It is now time to do the same for AI.
The council’s scope would be broad and future-facing. Should AI be allowed to lead prayer in remote areas where no imam is available? How can AI-generated Quran recitation or digital fatwa services be regulated? Can generative AI models be certified for use in Islamic education, finance or media? What does a halal algorithm look like for dating apps, zakat distribution or even environmental monitoring?
Islamic perspectives on ethics, finance, governance, gender and education are practically absent from the datasets feeding today’s most powerful AI models
This is not theoretical. Around the world, AI is already making decisions – in hospitals, banks, courts and classrooms. Without proactive guidance, Muslim communities risk becoming consumers of values embedded by others. If we do not build our own models, we will inherit the blind spots of someone else’s code.
The GCC is ideally positioned to lead this initiative. Consider the momentum – the UAE has established the world’s first graduate university dedicated to AI, launched national AI strategies and invested heavily in AI-native firms like G42. The country has appointed AI advisers to public entities and integrated AI in national planning across sectors from justice to education.
Saudi Arabia is using AI at scale in Neom, through its National Data Management Office, and through initiatives such as the Global AI Summit. Qatar has incorporated AI into its 2030 National Vision, created an AI Policy Framework through the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and is investing in Arabic-language large language models for regional relevance.
Together, these nations possess the credibility, capital and computational capacity to build the world’s first halal AI ecosystem, one that is rooted in Islamic values but designed for global relevance.
The AI Fatwa Council could serve as a global benchmark for digital ethics, working in parallel with international bodies such as the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Unesco, while addressing the unique jurisprudential questions of the Muslim world. It could incubate Arabic-language datasets, provide ethical certifications, train scholars in AI fluency, and launch AI educational platforms blending religious knowledge with data science.
This is not about nostalgia or conservatism. It is about building a future that reflects our values. If we want tomorrow’s AI to respect the Islamic worldview, we must engage today, not just with scripture, but with source code.
The Prophet Mohammed urged us to “seek knowledge, even if it be in China”. In 2025, that knowledge is encoded in neural networks and algorithms. And if we do not write ourselves into the architecture of the digital age, we will find ourselves written out. If we don’t define the values of AI, others will.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
Price: from Dh122,745
On sale: now
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Farage on Muslim Brotherhood
Nigel Farage told Reform's annual conference that the party will proscribe the Muslim Brotherhood if he becomes Prime Minister.
"We will stop dangerous organisations with links to terrorism operating in our country," he said. "Quite why we've been so gutless about this – both Labour and Conservative – I don't know.
“All across the Middle East, countries have banned and proscribed the Muslim Brotherhood as a dangerous organisation. We will do the very same.”
It is 10 years since a ground-breaking report into the Muslim Brotherhood by Sir John Jenkins.
Among the former diplomat's findings was an assessment that “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” has “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
The prime minister at the time, David Cameron, who commissioned the report, said membership or association with the Muslim Brotherhood was a "possible indicator of extremism" but it would not be banned.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Fresh faces in UAE side
Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.
Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.
Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.
Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.
Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
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Available: Now
The biog
Name: Dr Lalia Al Helaly
Education: PhD in Sociology from Cairo
Favourite authors: Elif Shafaq and Nizar Qabbani.
Favourite music: classical Arabic music such as Um Khalthoum and Abdul Wahab,
She loves the beach and advises her clients to go for meditation.
More on Quran memorisation:
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins
Read part one: how cars came to the UAE
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The First Monday in May
Director: Andrew Rossi
Starring: Anna Wintour, Karl Lagerfeld, John Paul Gaultier, Rihanna
Three stars
Draw
Quarter-finals
Real Madrid (ESP) or Manchester City (ENG) v Juventus (ITA) or Lyon (FRA)
RB Leipzig (GER) v Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Barcelona (ESP) or Napoli (ITA) v Bayern Munich (GER) or Chelsea (ENG)
Atalanta (ITA) v Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Ties to be played August 12-15 in Lisbon
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
