Landmark Establishment of the International Islamic Bioethics Association (IIBA): Pioneering a New Era in Global Bioethical Discourse

 

 

The Research Center for Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE), College of Islamic Studies (CIS), at Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU) is proud to share the great news of the establishment of the International Islamic Bioethics Association (IIBA), following its landmark approval by the HBKU Board of Trustees on March 10, 2025. The creation of the IIBA marks the culmination of over a decade of CILE’s dedicated work and represents a pivotal moment for the field of Islamic bioethics.

A Crucial Response to a Global Need

The journey to establish the IIBA was catalyzed during the preparations for the 17th World Congress of Bioethics (WCB), the first WCB edition to take place in the Arab world and the entire Middle East. This experience vividly highlighted the fragmentation of Islamic bioethics across diverse disciplines, a stark contrast to the well-established academic infrastructure supporting secular bioethics. The absence of a coordinated platform for rigorous Islamic perspectives in critical global debates, from reproductive health to emerging technologies like AI and genetic engineering, underscored the urgent need for a unified institutional voice.

The creation of the IIBA represents a key strategic objective for CILE. It is the pinnacle of more than a decade of our pioneering efforts in applied Islamic ethics, which include the launch of two Scopus-indexed publications (the Journal of Islamic Ethics and the Studies in Islamic Ethics book series) and the successful co-hosting of the 17th WCB.

The CILE team extends its deepest gratitude to the senior management of Hamad Bin Khalifa University and the Qatar Foundation. Their steadfast support for the field of Islamic ethics has been instrumental in facilitating this initiative and bringing the vision for the IIBA to fruition.

Vision and Mission: Shaping a Truly Global Bioethical Future

The IIBA is set to become the leading global platform for Islamic bioethics. Rooted deeply in the Islamic tradition, it will be responsive to contemporary ethical challenges and inclusive of diverse scholarly perspectives, striving to shape global bioethical discourse from the heart of the Muslim world.

The International Islamic Bioethics Association (IIBA) is dedicated to:

  • Advancing Research: Conducting rigorous, interdisciplinary research that connects Islamic moral tradition with contemporary biomedical developments.
  • Fostering Collaboration: Serving as a global platform for collaboration among scholars, practitioners, and institutions committed to meaningful ethical dialogue across cultures.
  • Amplifying Voices: Elevating the voices and concerns of Muslim communities in global bioethical discourse.
  • Building Capacity: Cultivating ethical leadership across the Muslim world and beyond through comprehensive training, mentorship, and inclusive knowledge exchange.
  • Engaging Stakeholders: Engaging policymakers, professionals, and the wider public to promote ethical awareness and contribute Islamic perspectives to societal debates and policy-making.

Distinguished Leadership for a Global Vision

The IIBA will be led by Dr. Mohammed Ghaly, HBKU Professor of Islam and Biomedical Ethics and Head of CILE, as its founding President. He will work with a distinguished group of global experts who have made outstanding contributions to Islamic bioethics, global bioethics, clinical ethics, and healthcare policy.

IIBA Board of Directors 

IIBA Advisory Board

Join Us

CILE and the newly established International Islamic Bioethics Association (IIBA) warmly invite the global bioethics scholarly community to join us in this important endeavor and explore opportunities for collaboration.

For more information about the IIBA, its initiatives, and ways to get involved, please stay tuned for upcoming updates on our website regarding the IIBA Inaugural Event, scheduled for 10–11 December 2025, or contact us at iiba@cilecenter.org