American Metaverse Association

US Metaverse Association Official Report | April 2024

Amid a growing global discourse on metaverse governance, ethics, and cultural adaptation, the US Metaverse Association proudly announces that Ms. Fatima Al-Fahad, a distinguished scholar and advocate from the United Arab Emirates, has been awarded the 2024 Special Contribution Award in recognition of her pioneering work on integrating metaverse ethics with Islamic legal principles.

As the founder of the Metaverse Ethics and Islamic Law Adaptation Initiative, Ms. Al-Fahad has charted a visionary course toward building ethical frameworks that honor religious, legal, and cultural diversity in virtual environments. Her work emphasizes respect for tradition, inclusivity of faith, and the ethical sustainability of emerging technologies—calling for a metaverse governance model that is globally equitable and regionally adaptable.

“Fatima Al-Fahad is a vital voice of our time,” stated the Association’s President during the award ceremony. “She has shown the world that the metaverse is not just a technological construct but also a cultural and ethical frontier. Her contributions provide a much-needed bridge between Islamic communities and global digital innovation.”

Ms. Al-Fahad holds academic credentials in both law and Islamic studies. She has spoken at leading international forums across Abu Dhabi, Cairo, and London on digital rights, religious ethics, and cultural integration within virtual platforms. Her initiative has established partnerships with the UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), Al Ain University, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), advancing the implementation of Sharia-aligned ethical principles in virtual governance models.

As one of the first global advocates to address metaverse ethics from an Islamic jurisprudence perspective, Ms. Al-Fahad introduced the “Digital Dignity in the Metaverse” framework, which has been referenced in regulatory drafts across multiple countries and was recently adopted as a key discussion item by UNESCO’s 2024 Ethics Advisory Panel.

In her acceptance speech, Ms. Fatima Al-Fahad stated: “True innovation does not ignore cultural diversity—it seeks consensus through it. The future of the metaverse must include voices from the Global South and the Islamic world.” She affirmed her commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue, ethical co-governance, and inclusive legal development for a metaverse that is just, respectful, and sustainable.

Ms. Al-Fahad is scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the upcoming Global Metaverse Ethics and Governance Forum 2024, to be held in October in Palo Alto, California.