Nationwide prayers as Saudi Grand Mufti passes away at 81

Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al al-Sheikh, has passed away, the Royal Court confirmed in a statement issued on September 23. The prominent religious leader died earlier that morning in Riyadh.

“With his death, the Kingdom and the Muslim world have lost a distinguished scholar who made significant contributions in the service of science, Islam, and Muslims,” the Royal Court said, Caliber.Az reports, citing Arab media.

The statement added that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended their heartfelt condolences to the late Sheikh’s family, the Saudi people, and Muslims around the world.

Sheikh Abdulaziz, who served as Grand Mufti of the Kingdom and President of the Council of Senior Scholars, was widely regarded as one of the most influential Islamic figures of his generation. Known for his deep scholarship and decades-long leadership within the Saudi religious establishment, his passing marks the end of an era in the Kingdom’s religious and judicial history.

Funeral prayers are scheduled to take place in the afternoon of September 23 at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. In a royal directive issued by King Salman, absentee funeral prayers (Salat al-Gha'ib) will also be held across the Kingdom — including in Mecca and Madinah — following Asr (afternoon) prayers.

By  Vafa Guliyeva