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Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Passes Away

coastaldigest.com news network
September 23, 2025

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Riyadh, Sep 23: Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, has passed away at the age of 82, the Saudi Royal Court announced on Tuesday.

According to the statement, funeral prayers for Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh will be performed after the Asr (afternoon) prayer today at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. Additionally, King Salman bin Abdulaziz has directed that funeral prayers be held in Makkah’s Grand Mosque, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and all mosques across the Kingdom.

A Life Dedicated to Islamic Scholarship and Leadership

Born on November 30, 1940, in Makkah, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh emerged as a prominent Islamic scholar and a leading figure in Saudi Arabia’s religious establishment. He was appointed Grand Mufti in 1999, succeeding Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz, and played a central role in shaping the Kingdom’s religious guidance and discourse.

A member of the esteemed Al ash-Sheikh family, known for its long-standing contributions to Islamic scholarship, Sheikh Abdulaziz began his religious education at an early age, memorizing the Quran and studying Islamic jurisprudence under distinguished scholars. He later served as a professor at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud University, mentoring generations of Islamic scholars.

National Condolences

In the wake of his passing, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended heartfelt condolences to Sheikh Abdulaziz’s family, the Saudi people, and the wider Islamic community. The Royal Court described his death as a profound loss for the nation and the Muslim world.

Contributions to Islamic Jurisprudence

Throughout his tenure, Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh was instrumental in interpreting Sharia law and issuing fatwas on diverse legal, social, and religious matters. He advocated for unity among Muslims and worked to bridge differences between Islamic sects. His leadership combined a deep respect for Islamic tradition with a thoughtful approach to contemporary issues facing the Muslim community globally.

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News Network
January 23,2026

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot read only three lines from the 122-paragraph address prepared by the Congress-led state government while addressing the joint session of the Legislature on Thursday, effectively bypassing large sections critical of the BJP-led Union government.

The omitted portions of the customary Governor’s address outlined what the state government described as a “suppressive situation in economic and policy matters” under India’s federal framework. The speech also sharply criticised the Centre’s move to replace the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) with the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, commonly referred to as the VB-GRAM (G) Act.

Governor Gehlot had earlier conveyed his objection to several paragraphs that were explicitly critical of the Union government. On Thursday, he confined himself to the opening lines — “I extend a warm welcome to all of you to the joint session of the State legislature. I am extremely pleased to address this august House” — before jumping directly to the concluding sentence of the final paragraph.

He ended the address by reading the last line of paragraph 122: “Overall, my government is firmly committed to doubling the pace of the State’s economic, social and physical development. Jai Hind — Jai Karnataka.”

According to the prepared speech, the Karnataka government demanded the scrapping of the VB-GRAM (G) Act, describing it as “contractor-centric” and detrimental to rural livelihoods, and called for the full restoration of MGNREGA. The state government argued that the new law undermines decentralisation, weakens labour protections, and centralises decision-making in violation of constitutional norms.

Key points from the unread sections of the speech:

•    Karnataka facing a “suppressive” economic and policy environment within the federal system

•    Repeal of MGNREGA described as a blow to rural livelihoods

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of protecting corporate and contractor interests

•    New law alleged to weaken decentralised governance

•    Decision-making said to be imposed by the Centre without consulting states

•    Rights of Adivasis, women, backward classes and agrarian communities curtailed

•    Labourers allegedly placed under contractor control

•    States facing mounting fiscal stress due to central policies

•    VB-GRAM (G) Act accused of enabling large-scale corruption

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