Grand Mufti Of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh Passes Away at 82

Riyadh, September 24 (TNA) His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al AlSheikh, the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, has passed away at the age of 82, marking the end of an era in the kingdom’s religious leadership. Sheikh Abdulaziz, who was appointed Grand Mufti in 1999, served for more than two decades and was also the head of the Council of Senior Scholars and the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta.

He was a leading figure in Islamic scholarship, renowned for his dedication to religious jurisprudence and his efforts to promote unity within the Muslim world. The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia confirmed his demise, announcing that funeral prayers would be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after the Asr prayer.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz directed that funeral prayers in absentia be conducted at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and at all mosques across the kingdom. His passing has drawn tributes from leaders and religious scholars worldwide, including condolences from King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, all emphasising the Grand Mufti’s lifelong dedication to Islamic teaching and service to the Muslim community.

Born in Mecca in 1943, Sheikh Abdulaziz overcame early loss of eyesight to become one of the most respected Islamic figures of his time, serving as imam, teacher, and scholar.