His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has appointed Counsellor Dr. Issa Saif Ahmed bin Hanzel as Chairman of the Department of Islamic Affairs in an Emiri Decree issued on 5 January 2026. The appointment marks a significant institutional shift, elevating Bin Hanzel from Director of the Legal Department to the helm of one of the emirate's most culturally sensitive portfolios while simultaneously securing him a seat on the Sharjah Executive Council. The move reflects the ruler's ongoing effort to strengthen the institutional architecture underpinning Islamic governance in a strategic emirate that has positioned itself as the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates.
The decree stipulates that Bin Hanzel shall be transferred to the Department of Islamic Affairs and promoted to the rank of Chairman under the Special Jobs System of the Sharjah Government. No search firm involvement was noted in the appointment. Bin Hanzel's promotion consolidates his trajectory within Sharjah's legal and institutional apparatus and represents a calculated deployment of his expertise into a domain requiring both administrative acumen and deep engagement with religious and community affairs. The timing of the appointment, early in 2026, positions him to oversee the department's substantial initiatives, which have included the inauguration of 17 new mosques across the emirate and ongoing expansions of religious facilities and services.
Prior to his elevation to the Islamic Affairs portfolio, Bin Hanzel served as Director of Sharjah's Legal Department, a position that required expertise in regulatory frameworks and institutional governance. As Chairman of the Department of Islamic Affairs, he has quickly demonstrated administrative capability and strategic vision. In March 2026, he announced the completion of plans to open 17 new mosques with a combined capacity approaching 9,000 worshippers distributed across Sharjah City, the Central Region, and the Eastern Region. By April, he articulated a philosophy of education grounded in values and cultural awareness, speaking at Al Qasimia University's 10th international conference about the need to cultivate balanced individuals equipped not merely with knowledge but with ethical judgment. His public statements reveal a leader concerned with bridging institutional cooperation, evident from his participation in May 2026 in a joint workshop with Sharjah Police on the Community Voice initiative, which aims to involve mosque congregations in broader public safety efforts. His educational background and legal training have prepared him to navigate the intersection of religious governance and contemporary public administration.
The Department of Islamic Affairs in Sharjah operates under the broader vision of the emirate's cultural renaissance. The department manages mosque development, religious education, charitable activities, and community spiritual services across an emirate that distinguishes itself within the UAE for prioritizing cultural and religious institutional development. The department oversees 693 mosques across the emirate and coordinates with multiple government entities including the municipality and police to ensure that religious institutions serve not only as places of worship but as anchors for community cohesion and social engagement. Sharjah, the third largest of the seven emirates, has earned numerous designations including World Book Capital, Islamic Culture Capital, and Cultural Capital of the Arab World, reflecting an institutional commitment to intellectual and spiritual development that distinguishes it from its more commercially focused neighbors.
The appointment underscores the ruler's confidence in deploying legal and administrative talent toward expanding Sharjah's religious institutional footprint. By elevating a legal official to head Islamic Affairs, the ruler signals an intent to professionalise the department's administrative functions while maintaining its spiritual mission. The timing of the appointment, followed by ambitious mosque construction targets and coordinated public safety initiatives, suggests a deliberate strategy to position Islamic Affairs as a central pillar of emirate governance rather than a marginal religious function. For Bin Hanzel, the role offers an opportunity to extend his influence beyond legal frameworks into the domain of community values and social stability, embedding legal expertise within Sharjah's broader institutional ecosystem.
