RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan as its new grand mufti, state media reported. The royal decree names Al-Fawzan as the successor to Sheikh Abdulaziz Al-Sheikh, who passed away on September 23 after more than 20 years in the role.
Born in Al-Qassim in 1935, Al-Fawzan graduated from the College of Shariah in Riyadh and holds a master’s and doctorate in fiqh. He has served as a member of the Council of Senior Scholars, the Ifta and Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research, the Supervisory Committee for Preachers during Hajj, the Islamic Fiqh Council, and the Muslim World League.
Read More: New Grand Mufti Appointed After Al-Sheikh’s Death
Al-Fawzan has also authored multiple books and hosted several radio programs, including the popular Nur Ala Al-Darb show. His appointment comes on the recommendation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has been leading sweeping reforms to diversify the Saudi economy.