Saudi Grand Mufti Al-Asheikh Passes Away

The Royal Court announced Tuesday the passing of Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Asheikh, Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and head of the Council of Senior Scholars, state-run Al-Ekhbariya reported.

Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman expressed their condolences to the Grand Mufti's family, the Saudi people and the Muslim world.

In a statement, he said, "With the passing of Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, Saudi Arabia and the Muslim world have lost a distinguished scholar who made important contributions to the service of Islam and Muslims."

His funeral prayer will be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh later today.

Al-Asheikh was appointed to the position in 1999. He served as the highest-ranking religious scholar in the kingdom, interpreting Sharia law and issuing fatwas on legal and societal matters.