Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Abdulaziz al‑Sheikh, died on Tuesday at the age of 82, the Royal Court announced. He had served as the kingdom’s top religious cleric since 1999, and his death marks the end of an era in Saudi religious leadership. The Grand Mufti was a key figure in interpreting Islamic law and issuing fatwas—religious edicts that influence Muslim‑majority countries.
Al‑Sheikh was known for his conservative views, even as Saudi Arabia began to introduce gradual reforms such as allowing foreign investment and loosening certain laws. During his tenure, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman launched a campaign to promote “moderate Islam” and diminish the influence of the hard‑line religious establishment. While al‑Sheikh opposed some changes—he called employing women in shops a crime and disrespectful in 2011—he also supported certain reforms, including allowing women to run for municipal elections and to be appointed as members of parliament.
His conservatism extended to cultural matters. In 2016, he declared chess “forbidden” in Islam, arguing that it wasted time and fostered enmity. The following year, he described cinemas and concerts as harmful and corrupting. Nevertheless, the kingdom continued to open up, hosting an international chess tournament in 2017 and opening its first commercial movie theatre after a 35‑year ban.
The Royal Court’s statement praised al‑Sheikh’s contributions to the service of science, Islam, and Muslims, calling his loss a significant blow to both the Kingdom and the wider Muslim world. Funeral prayers will be held in Riyadh and in other mosques across the country, honoring a distinguished scholar whose legacy will be remembered as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s religious leadership.
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