Katara Cultural Village, in collaboration with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs and IslamOnline, hosted the 30th Katara Tech Forum to explore the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in Islamic jurisprudence. The event convened experts in Islamic law, technology, and media to discuss how AI technologies can support religious scholarship while adhering to Sharia principles.
The forum was moderated by Moaz Yousuf al-Qasimi, head of the Religious Guidance Department. Speakers included Jassim Abdullah al-Ali, director of the Department of Da’wah and Religious Guidance; Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz al-Thani, director of the Mosques Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs; Eng Ashraf Sharif, head of the Information Technology Department at IslamOnline; and Dr Idris Ahmed Tijani, a Sharia researcher specializing in Islamic jurisprudence.
Dr Tijani highlighted several practical applications of AI in Islamic sciences, noting its potential to assist religious guidance and enhance scholarly research. He explained that AI systems are designed to function within established scientific and Sharia frameworks to maintain accuracy and reliability. Emphasizing that these tools are meant to aid qualified scholars rather than replace them, he demonstrated how AI can analyze Friday sermons by converting them into digital text, identifying core themes, Quranic verses, and Hadith references, and generating evaluation reports based on systematic criteria. He stressed the necessity of human verification to validate any AI-produced findings.
The discussion also reviewed IslamOnline’s ongoing digital transformation, including the introduction of semantic search features aimed at improving access to authoritative Islamic content. The platform has seen significant performance and audience growth this year, reflecting increased public engagement with digital religious resources.
Participants examined the applications of AI in formulating religious rulings, analyzing sermons, developing Islamic content, and producing visual media. They addressed both the opportunities and challenges these technologies present, particularly concerns around maintaining accuracy and ensuring compliance with Sharia guidelines.
While acknowledging that AI can expedite research, organize information, and broaden access to knowledge, the forum attendees unanimously agreed that human oversight remains crucial. They underscored that AI cannot substitute for the nuanced independent reasoning of Islamic scholars in legal and theological matters.