19th ANIC Annual General Meeting (AGM) – 2025 I 2026
The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) held its 19th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, 11 October 2026, at Slacks Creek Masjid in Brisbane, hosted by the Council of Imams Queensland.
The 19th ANIC AGM brought together Imams, scholars and ANIC members from across Australia, members of State Imams Councils representing all Australian states and territories, members of the Australian Fatwa Council, ANIC departments and Muslim community leaders.
ANIC was also honoured to welcome delegates from the Global Imams and Scholars Council (GISC) from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and South Africa, who joined the 19th ANIC AGM during the GISC Annual Retreat hosted this year by ANIC in Australia.
The 19th ANIC AGM established a clear direction for the coming year: preserve Islam and Islamic identity, strengthen Australia’s Imams and religious leadership, protect the Muslim community and its institutions, strengthen national coordination, and build strong Islamic institutions for generations to come.
Preserving Islam and Islamic Identity
The 19th ANIC AGM reaffirmed and emphasised that preserving Islam, mainstream and traditional Islamic teachings, and Islamic identity for future generations remains at the centre of ANIC’s mission.
The 19th ANIC AGM stated, “The decisions we make today will influence Australian Muslims for generations to come. We want our children and future generations to remain proud of their faith, confident in their Islamic identity, strongly connected to the Qur’an and Sunnah, and proud of their Muslim community and the wider Muslim Ummah to which they belong.”
The 19th ANIC AGM also affirmed that maintaining a strong Islamic identity and contributing positively to Australia are complementary responsibilities. Australian Muslims should remain proud of their faith and Islamic identity, respect and abide by Australian law, contribute positively to Australian society, and uphold their shared responsibility for the safety, security and well-being of all Australians.
Unity, Brotherhood and the ANIC Imams’ Code of Honour
The 19th ANIC AGM reaffirmed the importance of unity, brotherhood, consultation and mutual respect among Australia’s Imams and religious leaders.
Legitimate scholarly differences should be approached with knowledge, wisdom, respect and Islamic etiquette, focusing on what unites Imams, religious leaders, and the Muslim community rather than what divides them.
A significant outcome of the 19th ANIC AGM was the launch of the updated ANIC Imams’ Code of Honour.
The Code provides an important framework for the conduct, relationships and cooperation of Imams and ANIC Members for years to come. It will guide Imams and ANIC Members in their internal and external dealings while reinforcing Islamic ethics and values, integrity, brotherhood, scholarly responsibility, professional conduct and mutual respect.
The 19th ANIC AGM also reaffirmed the responsibility of Imams and ANIC Members to preserve Islamic identity and provide leadership that enables Australian Muslims to remain confident in their faith while contributing positively to the Muslim community and wider Australian society.
The 19th ANIC AGM also committed to strengthening professional development, mentoring, wellbeing and fair treatment for Imams in the workforce, while developing the next generation of Australian Imams and male and female Islamic scholars.
Palestine and the Wider Muslim Ummah
The 19th ANIC AGM reaffirmed ANIC’s unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinians and their pursuit of freedom, justice, dignity and self-determination.
ANIC condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza, the unlawful occupation, killing and displacement of civilians, destruction of homes and essential infrastructure, illegal settlement expansion and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.
The 19th ANIC AGM called on the Australian Government and international community to uphold international law, protect civilians, ensure humanitarian assistance, pursue accountability for violations of international law, and condemn actions by the Israeli Government that violate international law and fundamental human rights.
ANIC also reaffirmed its solidarity with oppressed peoples across the wider Muslim Ummah and around the world, including in Sudan, Kashmir and East Turkistan, Rohingya Muslims, and all those facing persecution, displacement and injustice.
Islamophobia and Safeguarding Islamic Institutions
The 19th ANIC AGM reaffirmed ANIC’s commitment to combating Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hatred and protecting Australian Muslims.
Through ANIC’s Action Against Islamophobia initiative, more than 300 cases were reviewed and supported this year, and more than 100 educational resources were developed.
The 19th ANIC AGM also reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding mosques, Islamic centres, schools and institutions across Australia, ensuring they remain safe, secure and protected spaces for worship, and community activities and engagements.
Islamic Education and Strong Institutions
The 19th ANIC AGM recognised the continued growth and national expansion of Australian Islamic Education Services (AIES). In NSW alone, AIES supports more than 55 public high schools, more than 180 active classes each fortnight and more than 4,500 Muslim students, while continuing to expand its programs across other states and territories, including the ACT, Western Australia, Tasmania and Queensland.
ANIC also reviewed the continued development of the Australian Fatwa Council, its mandate, scholarly activities and important role in providing credible Islamic guidance, issuing Fatawa, addressing contemporary religious matters and strengthening Islamic religious leadership across Australia.
The 19th ANIC AGM also reviewed the continued development and expansion of ANIC’s national programs and services, including the ANIC Halal Authority, Centre for Arbitration and Resolution of Disputes (CARD), Muslim Chaplaincy, ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory and other initiatives serving the religious and community needs of Australian Muslims.
The 19th ANIC AGM reaffirmed that strong, accountable and sustainable Islamic institutions are essential to serving Australian Muslims, strengthening their connection to their faith and community, and preserving Islam for generations to come.
Australian Quran Council (AQC)
The 19th ANIC AGM also marked the soft launch of the Australian Quran Council (AQC), an important national initiative aimed at strengthening Quran education, preserving and advancing the Quranic sciences, developing structured programs for schools, teachers and students, and uniting and coordinating Quranic education and initiatives across Australia.
National and International Muslim Cooperation
The 19th ANIC AGM reaffirmed ANIC’s close partnership with the Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM) and its commitment to greater unity and coordination among Imams, Muslim organisations and community leaders. As a founding member of GISC, ANIC also reaffirmed the importance of international scholarly cooperation and maintaining strong relationships between Australian Imams, reputable Islamic scholars and institutions, and the wider Muslim Ummah.
Building for Generations to Come
The 19th ANIC AGM adopted five priorities for 2026–2027:
- Preserve Islam and Islamic identity.
- Strengthen Australia’s Imams and Islamic religious leadership.
- Protect the Muslim community and its institutions.
- Strengthen national representation, coordination and engagement.
- Build strong, sustainable and accountable Islamic institutions.
These priorities reflect responsibilities extending well beyond the coming year. ANIC remains committed to building strong Islamic leadership, families, education and institutions, ensuring future generations remain proud of their faith, confident in their Islamic identity, connected to the wider Muslim Ummah and contributing positively to Australia without compromising Islamic principles.
