The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has appointed Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Humaid as the new Grand Mufti and Head of the Senior Council of Scholars.
The appointment was made by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques following the death of the former Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 82.
Dr. Humaid, a respected Islamic scholar, currently serves as one of the nine Imams of the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
His elevation to the top religious post is seen as a continuation of his decades-long service to Islamic scholarship and leadership within the Kingdom.
The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia plays a crucial role in issuing religious rulings (fatwas), guiding the Kingdom’s religious affairs, and leading the Senior Council of Scholars, the highest religious authority in the country.
Sheikh Abdulaziz, his predecessor, held the position for many years and was a central figure in shaping the religious landscape of Saudi Arabia.
His passing marks the end of an era, while Dr. Humaid’s appointment ushers in a new chapter in the Kingdom’s religious leadership.
Humaid’s scholarship, experience, and role at the Grand Mosque place him in a strong position to lead Saudi Arabia’s religious authority at a time of global focus on Islam’s role in modern society.