Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, MBS loyalist who once called Hamas ‘a disgrace,’ dies at 82
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and head of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, has died at the age of 82, the Saudi Royal Court announced Tuesday.
His funeral prayers were scheduled at Riyadh’s Imam Turki bin Abdullah Grand Mosque following afternoon prayers, with King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offering condolences.
The cleric, a staunch loyalist of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was one of the most influential religious figures in the Kingdom for over two decades.
Appointed Grand Mufti in 1999, he oversaw the Council of Senior Scholars and played a central role in shaping Saudi Arabia’s religious discourse.
Sheikh was also known for his controversial positions.
He once directly condemned Hamas, accusing it of waging terror and violence that are fundamentally against Islamic teachings.
He called Hamas’ actions in Gaza “a disgrace to Islam” and “an act of blasphemy against Allah.”
He also declared Shia Muslims to be infidels, urged they be fought “from within,” and ruled it haram to support Hezbollah in its war against Israel.
The Saudi Royal Court said his death was a loss for the Kingdom and the wider Islamic world, praising his decades of service to Islam.
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