Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed condolences on the demise of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, calling it a profound loss for the Kingdom and the Islamic world.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Deepest condolences on the sad demise of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kingdom and its people in this moment of grief.”
The Saudi Royal Court confirmed the passing of Sheikh Al-Sheikh on Tuesday. He had been serving as the head of the Council of Senior Scholars, the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, and the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League.
According to the Royal Court, funeral prayers were held at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after the Asr prayer. Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also ordered funeral prayers in absentia at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and across all mosques in the Kingdom.
In its statement, the Royal Court described Sheikh Al-Sheikh as a distinguished scholar whose contributions to Islam and Muslims will be remembered. King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman conveyed condolences to his family, the Saudi people, and the wider Muslim community.