Saudi Arabia's King Salman has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan as the kingdom's new Grand Mufti, a position that makes him the country's highest religious authority. The appointment was made based on a recommendation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Sheikh Saleh, 90, succeeds Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who passed away in September after serving as Grand Mufti for 25 years. As Grand Mufti, Sheikh Saleh will also serve as Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and head of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, holding the rank of minister.
The new Grand Mufti is known for his ultraconservative views and has been a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta since 1992. He has also served on the Islamic Fiqh Council affiliated with the Muslim World League.
Sheikh Saleh's appointment signals the enduring influence of Saudi Arabia's conservative religious establishment, despite the kingdom's recent social and economic reforms.¹ ²
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