ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR’S Chief Mufti, Sheikh Saleh Omar Kaabi, has appointed leaders and members of the Sixth Council of Ulamaa, completing the composition of the islands’ principal body responsible for providing Islamic religious guidance.
According to a statement from the Office of the Chief Mufti of Zanzibar, the council will be chaired by Sheikh Kaabi and comprises senior Islamic judicial officials serving by virtue of their positions, representatives from all districts of Unguja and Pemba and representatives of Islamic denominations.
The appointments bring together religious officials and district representatives in a structure intended to support the council’s responsibilities in Islamic jurisprudence and religious affairs.
Those appointed in an ex-officio capacity are Zanzibar Chief Kadhi Sheikh Hassan Othman Ngwali; Deputy Chief Kadhi Sheikh Othman Ame Choum; Deputy Mufti Sheikh Mahmoud Mussa Wadi; Executive Secretary of the Wakf and Trust Property Commission Sheikh Abdulla Talib Abdulla and Executive Secretary of the Office of the Chief Mufti Sheikh Khalid Ali Mfaume, who will also serve as council secretary.
The appointments also provide geographical representation across Unguja and Pemba, ensuring that all districts in the two islands have representatives on the council.
Unguja’s representatives are Sheikh Dr Abdalla Hadhar Abdalla, South Unguja; Sheikh Sameer Zulfikar Ramzan, Urban District; Sheikh Suweid Ali Suweid, West B; Sheikh Thabit Nouman Jongo, West A; Sheikh Khamis Abdulhamid Khamis, North A; Sheikh Dr Muhyiddin Ahmad Khamis, Central District; and Sheikh Abdu Maulid Fidia, North B.
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Pemba’s representatives are Sheikh Mkasha Sharif Hamad from Micheweni District; Sheikh Mohammed Habib Ishaka from Mkoani; Sheikh Seif Alawi Omar from Wete; and Sheikh Khamis Salim Ali from Chake Chake.
The council’s representatives of Islamic denominations are Sheikh Shaaban Salum Humud of BATASH and Ukhty Saada Mohammed Nassor.
The Office of the Chief Mufti said the appointments took into account professional competence, experience and integrity in Islamic jurisprudence.
The council is expected to play a central role in providing religious guidance, including issuing fatwas and promoting religious welfare, peace and social cohesion among communities in Zanzibar.
Its responsibilities place it at the centre of efforts to provide guidance on Islamic matters and support the welfare of the Muslim community across the islands.
The office called on the public and Muslim faithful throughout Zanzibar to cooperate with the newly appointed leaders and members, saying their support would help the council fulfil its responsibilities effectively. The appointments took effect on October 15, 2026.