Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah hosts international conference on family challenges

The 11th International Conference of Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah and the General Secretariat for Fatwa Authorities Worldwide opened on September 2, 2026, in Egypt. Held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the conference is titled ‘Family Challenges in Light of Major Transformations: A Fatwa Approach to Protecting the Family, Forecasting its Future, and Preserving Identity.’

Participants, including Sami al-Sharif, Secretary-General of the Association of Islamic Universities, emphasized the necessity of addressing rapid global shifts to maintain family cohesion and social stability. Dr. Sharifa al-Emadi, Executive Director of the Doha International Family Institute, noted that Arab and Muslim families are facing existential challenges, including the erosion of traditional identity, digital environment complexities, declining marriage rates, and rising divorce rates, which in some regional areas reach 40% to 50% within the first years of marriage.

The conference aims to bring together scholars, muftis, and researchers to exchange expertise and develop practical approaches to safeguard the family unit against evolving intellectual, cultural, and social changes.