The Majlis
Religious adjudication matters requiring collective scholarly consideration are referred to the Islamic Adjudication Council (Majlis al-Shura). The Council assigns each case according to its nature; there is no direct booking with an individual scholar, and case assignments stay confidential.
Leadership and scholars
Sheikh Richard MacLeod
الشيخ ريشار-فؤاد بهجت مقلد
Head of ISCN
Sheikh Richard leads the Council’s commitment to careful religious guidance, clear processes and compassionate service. His work brings together Islamic study, marriage counselling and organisational leadership.
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- Role
- Head of the Islamic Sharia Council – Northern Britain
- Islamic Study
- More than a decade of study in Saudi Arabia, followed by formal study through Zad Academy and continuing scholarly study circles.
- Counselling
- Qualified marriage counsellor with training in Islamic marital guidance and family support.
- Leadership
- Entrepreneur, educator and organisational leader with more than two decades of business and community experience.
Sheikh AbdulBasith Mohammed
الشيخ عبدالباسط محمد
Deputy Head of ISCN
Supports the Council’s religious guidance, marital services and community-facing work.
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- Relevant Experience
- Leads prayer and teaching at Newcastle Central Mosque; Islamic educator with experience in Qur’anic studies, Hadith and family guidance.
Scholars
Islamic Adjudication Council
Sheikh Dr Mahmoud Al-Saeed Abu Al-Ezz
الشيخ الدكتور محمود السعيد عبدالمجيد أبو العز
Islamic Adjudication Council Member
A Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh at Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta. He holds a PhD with First Class Honours, an ijazah in the seven Qur’anic readings, and experience in fatwa and Friday preaching.
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- Relevant Experience
- Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh at Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta Branch; certified Qari.
Sheikh Dr Al-Saeed Abdel Fattah Badran
الشيخ الدكتور السعيد عبدالفتاح بدران
Islamic Adjudication Council Member
A Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh at Al-Azhar University’s Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta. He holds a PhD with First Class Honours and brings experience in fatwa, preaching and reconciling marital disputes.
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- Relevant Experience
- Lecturer in Usul al-Fiqh at Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Sharia and Law, Tanta Branch.
Sheikh Dr Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelhadi
الشيخ الدكتور محمد محمود عبدالهادي
Islamic Adjudication Council Member
Supports scholarly review across family matters, comparative fiqh and contemporary questions.
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- Relevant Experience
- Assistant Lecturer in Comparative Fiqh at Al-Azhar University; former Fatwa Committee member at the Islamic Research Academy.
- Assistant Lecturer in Comparative Fiqh, Al-Azhar University (Dec 2024 to date)
Special Advisors
Dr Alyas Karmani
الدكتور ألياس كرماني
Special Consultant
Advises the Council on mental health, relationships and community wellbeing.
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- Relevant Experience
- Counsellor, consultant and community specialist with experience in psychology, family support and public policy.
Profiles describe each person’s Council role and relevant experience. Not every matter is considered by every person shown.