A legal source at the Supreme Islamic Sharia Council told MTV that the council’s session was held in accordance with Article 50 of Decree No. 18, which stipulates that a meeting requires a majority of members to be present at the first session, and at least one-third at subsequent sessions.

The council has 39 members, making the required quorum for subsequent sessions 13. A total of 16 members attended the meeting, which was chaired by the Grand Mufti.

Some members had apologized for their absence due to travel or illness, while those who failed to attend without providing an excuse had their own considerations and personal commitments, the source added.