Home lists 100 Most Powerful Arabs 2023 Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah Chairman, UAE Fatwa Council Origin: Mauritania Residence: UAE Sector: Culture and Society As the chairman of UAE Fatwa Council, Sheikh Abdullah is known for promoting peace and encouraging interfaith dialogue. He previously served as a judge at the High Court of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and was also the head of Shariah Affairs at its Ministry of Justice. The head of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, Sheikh Abdullah is widely respected for his views on religious tolerance and for encouraging harmony. Earlier this year, the UAE Fatwa Council signed a MoU with Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities to launch a mufti training programme.