Saudi Arabia, Muslim world mourn passing of grand mufti
Leaders from Muslim nations and other countries across the world offered their condolences to Saudi Arabia on the death of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who served for more than 20 years during a period of major political and social change in the kingdom.
Condolences continued to pour in from across the globe and the Muslim world on Wednesday, a day after the death of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who served as the kingdom’s top religious and legal authority for more than two decades.
Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court announced the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz, 82, on Tuesday, without including the cause of his death.
“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 in a statement.
No successor has been named yet, but some potential candidates are being floated, including Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad al-Sheikh, a member of the Council of Senior Scholars. The kingdom’s grand mufti is appointed by royal decree.
