Islamabad: The Islamic Research Institute, in collaboration with the Shari'ah Academy at the International Islamic University Islamabad, organized a lecture exploring the historical fatwa discourse in Colonial Era South Asia. The event, held at the Allama Iqbal Auditorium, featured Professor Justin Jones from the University of Oxford as the keynote speaker.

According to International Islamic University Islamabad, Professor Jones' lecture focused on the role of fatwas during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, highlighting the institutional development of d?r al-ift?? and the influence of the muftis. He discussed the significance of fatwa discourse in sustaining the authority of the ?anaf? school through various debates on key issues within the tradition.

Attendees, including faculty members, researchers, and students, engaged in discussions about the mufti's role and the fatwa institution's impact on South Asia's religio-legal environment. The session underscored the value of interdisciplinary research blending history, law, and religious studies. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Professor Dr. Muhammad Akram, Director General of the Islamic Research Institute and Shari'ah Academy.