On 21 July 2025, the Fatwa Coordination Group, established under the Council of Heads of Muslim Religious Boards of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS), commenced its consultative meetings in Ankara.

Hosted by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, the meeting brought together senior representatives from the religious authorities of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Türkiye. Over the course of five days, participating muftis and scholars will engage in comprehensive discussions on key areas of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), including the methodologies and principles of issuing fatwas and sighting of the crescent moon, the calculation of prayer times, rulings concerning zakat and ushr, jurisprudential provisions related to travel (aḥkam al-safar), and prayer schedules in high-latitude regions. Contemporary issues in Islamic legal thought will also be addressed with a view to promoting coherence and relevance in religious rulings.

As part of the program, an observational study will be conducted in Gerede, Bolu, focusing on the ru’yat al-hilal (sighting of the crescent moon), as well as the accurate determination of shafaq (twilight) and fajr (true dawn). The fieldwork aims to reinforce the integrity of time-bound devotional practices (ibadat) by ensuring their alignment with precise astronomical observation, in accordance with Islamic tradition.

This important gathering contributes to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation among the religious institutions of the Turkic States and supports the development of a harmonized approach to Islamic guidance and scholarly exchange among the OTS Member States.