The Silicon Review ^Asia

Dubai launched an Artificial Intelligence(AI) based app called ‘Virtual Ifta’ on Tuesday, it is said to be the world’s first serviced which is completely based on AI to issue fatwas, say prayers, or to issue Islamic religious matters. The AI-powered app has many features; it takes live questions on internet chat and replies back.The app also enables playing videos that narrate the evolution of issuing fatwas – from face-to-face meetings to writings, phone, video conferencing, email, website, and now AI.

“At the moment, it is only able to answer around 205 questions related to salah, or prayer”, stated Tariq Al Emadi, Head of Fatwa Section, Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD). In the first phase, the AI service is available in two languages which are Arabic and English and the later phase will include other services like cover more topics which includes fasting, purity, ablution, and financial matters, among others. More languages will also be added in the coming time.

The service is accessible on the IACAD website by clicking on the “Chat with us” icon at the bottom right corner of the homepage. Once the user selects the preferred language, a message pops up which says“Hello, Welcome to the virtual assistant of the Department of Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities in Dubai, you can ask your question about one of the following topics: Prayer, Zakat, Purity, Worship.”