Australian National Imams Council

What Australian National Imams Council does

The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) is a not-for-profit religious organization founded in 2006 that serves as the peak national body representing Muslim Imams, Shaykhas, and Islamic scholars across Australia. Headquartered in Chullora, NSW, ANIC operates through State Imams Councils in all eight Australian states and territories (ACT, NSW, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA) and represents more than 350 registered Imams. It is governed by a General Assembly of member Imams and an elected Executive Board, and its remit includes the issuance of fatwas (via the Australian Fatwa Council, established 2019), promotion of mainstream Islamic teachings, and advocacy against Islamophobia.

ANIC delivers a portfolio of community services through 15 divisions and subsidiaries, including ANIC Halal Authority (halal certification managed by Islamic scholars and food science experts), ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (Shariah compliance certification for products such as the Hejaz Equities Fund and Murabahah Car Finance), the Centre for Arbitration & Resolution of Disputes (CARD), Islamic and Legal Wills (in partnership with Lawbridge Lawyers), counselling services (via Silah Counselling and 5 Before 5 Solutions), the National Zakat Foundation, the Muslim Community Fund, Action Against Islamophobia, Australian Islamic Education Services, and a Community Safety & Security Committee. The organization also administers the Australian Government's $25 million over three years Security Uplift of Muslim Communities in Australia Program (SUMCP), a federal grant program.

ANIC's revenue model is diversified but predominantly grant-and-donation-based. It receives government funding (notably administration fees and passes through the $25M SUMCP), accepts community donations and recurring contributions, and earns modest professional services fees from halal certification, Islamic finance advisory, counselling ($100 per individual session, $150 per family session), and legal wills services. Most religious guidance, fatwas, and community support services are provided free of charge. The organization employs a small core staff of 7 and relies on its volunteer Imam network for service delivery. There is no proprietary technology platform disclosed beyond a website-based service portal.

Name

Australian National Imams Council

Legal name

Australian National Imams Council

Website

https://anic.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ANIC is the peak national body representing over 350 registered Muslim Imams across Australia, providing religious guidance, halal certification, Islamic finance advisory, counselling, and community services through 15 divisions. Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Sydney, it also administers the Australian Government's $25 million Security Uplift program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious and Community Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Shariah Governance, Compliance & Advisory (Shariah Boards, Audit, Fatwa) (FSABAGAJ)

Keywords

• Islamic religious services
• Muslim community advocacy
• Halal certification services
• Islamic finance advisory
• Interfaith liaison services

Headquarters

HQ city

Chullora

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: ANIC receives government funding to support community programs. The Australian Government, through the Department of Home Affairs' Office for Multicultural Affairs, is providing $25 million over three years for the Security Uplift of Muslim Communities in Australia Program (SUMCP), which ANIC administers as a grant program for eligible Muslim faith-based organizations.
2. Donations and Support: ANIC accepts donations and support from the community through its 'Supporting ANIC' platform with options for one-time and recurring contributions to help make a difference in the community.
3. Halal Certification Services: ANIC Halal Authority, a subsidiary company managed by Islamic scholars and food science experts, provides halal certification services to businesses in the food industry.
4. Islamic Finance Advisory Services: ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (AIFA) offers Shariah compliance certification, product accreditation, industry standardisation, and expert advisory services. Certified products include the Hejaz Equities Fund and Murabahah Car Finance through Islamic Co-operative Finance Australia Limited.
5. Counselling Services Fees: ANIC provides fee-based counselling services: $100 for individual sessions (60 minutes) and $150 for family sessions (60 minutes), delivered through partner providers.
6. Islamic Wills Services: ANIC, in partnership with Lawbridge Lawyers, provides Islamic and legal Will services to the Australian Muslim community, drafted by professional Muslim lawyers and endorsed by Imams.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ANIC is the peak national body representing Imams and Islamic scholars in Australia, providing religious guidance, halal certification, Islamic finance advisory, counseling, mediation, community advocacy, and security support services to the Muslim community, businesses, and government agencies.

Product overview

ANIC is a community and religious organization (not a software product company) offering a portfolio of Islamic community services. Its core structure includes State Imams Councils across all Australian states and territories. Key services include: the Australian Fatwa Council (issuing Islamic verdicts), ANIC Halal Authority (halal certification), ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (Shariah compliance certification), Centre for Arbitration & Resolution of Disputes (marital dispute resolution), National Zakat Foundation (Zakat distribution), Islamic and Legal Wills service, Counselling Services, Foster Care guidance, Community Safety & Security Committee, and the Security Uplift Program (a $25M government-funded initiative). ANIC also supports initiatives including Australian Islamic Education Services, Action Against Islamophobia, Muslim Community Fund, and the Women's Advisory Council (AWAC).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Australian Fatwa Council: Division established by ANIC focusing on Fatwas (Islamic Verdicts) on contemporary issues and matters pertaining to Australian Muslims.
• ANIC Halal Authority
• Centre for Arbitration & Resolution of Disputes (CARD)
• Australian Islamic Education Services
• Action Against Islamophobia
• Muslim Community Fund
• National Zakat Foundation
• ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (AIFA)

Products and services

• Imams National Advisory Council Services Religious guidance, representation, and advisory services provided by ANIC, the peak body representing Imams and Islamic scholars across Australia.
• Halal Certification Services Certification and audit services for food producers, manufacturers, and hospitality businesses seeking Shariah-compliant halal assurance for their products and operations.
• Islamic Finance Advisory Services Shariah-compliance advisory and scholarly review services for Islamic finance institutions, banks, and financial product providers.
• Faith-Based Counseling and Mediation Services Family, marital, and community counseling and mediation services led by Imams for Muslim individuals and families across Australia.
• Community Security Uplift Program Security advisory and community safety support services delivered in partnership with government agencies to strengthen protection of Muslim community institutions.
• Government and Interfaith Liaison Services Policy consultation, interfaith dialogue, and community engagement services provided to federal and state government agencies and interfaith bodies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 350 registered Imams serving the Muslim community across Australia
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Zakat Foundation (NZF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC has partnered with National Zakat Foundation to raise awareness of the need to give Zakat locally in Australia. NZF is a ground-breaking initiative that aims to utilise Zakat funds and voluntary donations collected in Australia for the benefit of local, deserving recipients.
• Lawbridge LawyerscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerANIC partners with Lawbridge Lawyers to provide Islamic and legal Will services to the Australian Muslim community. Wills are endorsed by Imams and drafted by professional Muslim lawyers to conform with both Islamic guidelines and Australian law.
• 5 Before 5 SolutionscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerANIC partners with 5 Before 5 Solutions to provide counselling services to the Muslim community through their platform with booking functionality.
• Silah Counselling (Basmah Abdul Qader)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerANIC provides counselling services delivered by Basmah Abdul Qader, an Islamic educator, mental health counsellor and psychotherapist, and founder of Silah Institute. Services include anxiety, depression, addiction, OCD, premarital and marital counselling, and family relationship support.
• Sydney AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC is partnered with Sydney Alliance, a coalition of religious and civil society organizations working for the common good in Sydney.
• Islamic Relief AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC partners with Islamic Relief Australia, a humanitarian and development organization serving communities in need.
• MATW ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC is partnered with MATW Project, an organization dedicated to serving Muslim communities worldwide.
• MUI IndonesiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC maintains international partnerships with Muslim organizations such as MUI Indonesia.
• Dar al Sharia (UAE)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC partners with Dar al Sharia based in the UAE for Islamic finance and Sharia advisory services.
• Human Rights for NSWminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC partners with Human Rights for NSW to promote and protect human rights within the Muslim community.
• MRG (Multicultural Rights NSW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC partners with MRG to advocate for multicultural and minority rights in NSW.
• The Culinary School AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC partners with The Culinary School Australia for culinary training and education programs.
• Hejaz Asset ManagementcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (AIFA) provides Shariah compliance certification for the Hejaz Equities Fund (Managed Fund) issued by Hejaz Asset Management Pty Ltd. The approval is given per Islamic principles, Australian Fatwa Council, and global industry standards.
• Islamic Co-operative Finance Australia Limited (ICFAL)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (AIFA) provides Shariah compliance certification for Murabahah Car Finance issued by Islamic Co-operative Finance Australia Limited. The approval follows Islamic principles, Australian Fatwa Council, and global industry standards.
• Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC is a signatory to the Alliance of Australian Muslims (AAM), working together on advocacy, policy submissions, and community representation on matters affecting Muslims in Australia.
• Australian Government - Department of Home AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerANIC administers the $25 million Security Uplift of Muslim Communities in Australia Program (SUMCP) on behalf of the Australian Government, through the Department of Home Affairs' Office for Multicultural Affairs. The program provides funding to enhance security at Muslim faith-based places including mosques, schools, and Islamic centers.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS): Singapore's Islamic religious council overseeing halal certification, fatwa issuance, and community services. Strong functional peer for ANIC's halal authority, fatwa council, and Islamic finance advisory operations, though operating in Singapore's regulatory environment.
• Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS Halal): Singapore's authoritative halal certification body. Most direct functional peer for ANIC Halal Authority given shared halal-certification business model, though operating across Southeast Asia rather than Australia.

Broad incumbents

• JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia): Malaysia's federal Islamic authority, internationally recognized for halal certification and Shariah governance. Benchmark peer for ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory and ANIC Halal Authority's ambitions to be nationally authoritative.
• Majelis Ulama Indonesia (MUI): Indonesia's national Islamic clerical body, issuing fatwas and overseeing halal certification nationally. Comparable as a national peak body issuing religious rulings and certifications; ANIC lists MUI Indonesia as a partner.
• Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC): National umbrella organization representing state Islamic councils in Australia. Direct peer to ANIC as another national peak Islamic body, though historically broader in scope and older in lineage.

Direct peers

• National Zakat Foundation (Australia): Australian organization channeling Zakat funds to local recipients, partnered with ANIC. Closely related in mission around Muslim community welfare in Australia, with overlapping donor base and beneficiary community.
• Muslims Australia: National Islamic representative organization serving Australian Muslims, providing community services, advocacy, and policy engagement. Comparable in mission and target audience to ANIC, operating in the same national peak-body space.
• Australian National Muslim Women's Council: Represents Muslim women in Australia and engages on advocacy, policy, and community issues. Comparable in mission as a national Islamic advocacy and service body, with a focused constituency overlap to ANIC's Women's Advisory Council.

Emerging players

• Hejaz Asset Management: Australian Islamic fund manager operating the Hejaz Equities Fund certified by ANIC Islamic Finance Advisory (AIFA). A current client/partner of ANIC and adjacent player in the Australian Islamic finance ecosystem.
• Islamic Co-operative Finance Australia Limited (ICFAL): Australian Islamic finance provider whose Murabahah Car Finance product is certified by ANIC's AIFA. Closely coupled peer demonstrating ANIC's reach into Australian Islamic finance product certification.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/australian-national-imams-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Australian National Imams Council