Statement from the Saudi Royal Court: The death of the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh

The Saudi Royal Court announced today, Tuesday, the death of His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh, who also held the position of Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, the General President of Scientific Research and Ifta, and the President of the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League.

The official statement issued this morning stated: "His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Sheikh has passed away, and his funeral prayer will be held - may God have mercy on him - after the Asr prayer today at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh."

In honor of the deceased's soul, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has directed that a funeral prayer be held for the deceased at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina, and in all mosques across the Kingdom after the Asr prayer today.

The statement expressed the loss of the Islamic nation in eulogistic terms, noting that "Saudi Arabia and the Islamic world have lost with his departure a great scholar who devoted his life to the service of knowledge, calling, and Ifta, and contributed his efforts to serving Islam and Muslims over decades."

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also extended their heartfelt condolences and sincere sympathy to the family of the deceased, to the Saudi people, and to the Islamic nation, asking God Almighty to envelop him in His vast mercy and grant him a place in His spacious gardens.