New Delhi, Sept 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed his condolences on the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Asheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.
In a message shared on X, PM Modi said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the Kingdom and its people in this moment of grief.” The Saudi Royal Court announced the Grand Mufti’s demise on Tuesday, with King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud directing funeral prayers to be held at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and across mosques in the Kingdom.
Sheikh Abdulaziz, a prominent Islamic scholar, served as Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti for over two decades since his appointment in 1999. During his tenure, he played a key role in issuing fatwas on contemporary issues and guided the country through significant social reforms, including lifting the ban on women driving and the introduction of tourism visas.
Leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council and the wider Islamic world have expressed condolences, highlighting the Grand Mufti’s scholarship and character. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman led the funeral prayers in Riyadh. A successor to Sheikh Abdulaziz has not yet been announced.