As an independent and autonomous institution, the Supreme Council of Islamic Fatwa came into existence under amendment Act 2016/06 Article 05(a) of Law No. 94/6 (Protection of Religious Unity of the Maldivians Act). The Supreme Council of Fatwa was established on Monday, April 25, 2016 to provide various religious fatwas to the government and the people of Maldives, to study new issues of fiqh and to provide religious advice and guidance on matters of religious differences. The Assembly is a separate body under the auspices of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs.