Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti passed away
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh passed away on Tuesday at the age of 81. The Saudi Press Agency confirmed his death and noted he had been unwell for some time. He served as the Kingdom’s highest religious authority and led the Council of Senior Scholars. Moreover, he remained a guiding figure for millions of Muslims worldwide.
Life Dedicated to Religious Service: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti passed away
Born in 1943, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh devoted his life to religious service and Islamic scholarship. For decades, he shaped Saudi Arabia’s religious guidance and influenced Islamic thought globally. His rulings and sermons earned widespread respect across the Muslim world. Furthermore, he delivered the most Hajj sermons in history, a record unmatched by any other cleric. These sermons inspired millions of pilgrims who gathered annually in Makkah and Medina. Consequently, his voice became central to the Hajj experience for generations.
Funeral Prayers Across the Kingdom
According to SPA, funeral prayers will be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after the Asr prayer. King Salman bin Abdulaziz directed absentee funeral prayers at the Grand Mosque in Makkah and Masjid-e-Nabwi in Medina. Additionally, mosques across Saudi Arabia will perform prayers after Asr for the late Grand Mufti. These nationwide directives highlight the deep respect Sheikh Abdulaziz commanded throughout the Kingdom. Indeed, his influence extended well beyond official religious circles.
Legacy of Leadership and Influence
Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh’s leadership of the Council of Senior Scholars placed him at the center of Saudi Arabia’s religious life. His sermons and rulings extended beyond the Kingdom, reaching Muslim communities worldwide. Furthermore, his decades of service shaped Saudi Arabia’s religious identity and its leadership in the broader Islamic world. His passing marks the end of an era in Saudi Arabia’s religious history. Without doubt, his contributions will be remembered for generations.
