Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Sheikh said that the Council of Senior Scholars follows up on the study of those issues that have been referred to it from the higher authorities, as well as from ministries and government agencies, and pronounces the legal ruling on those issues and matters after carrying out extensive studies on them.

Al-Sheikh, who is also head of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Fatwa, made the remarks in his presidential speech at the 94th session of the Council of Senior Scholars at the headquarters of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Fatwa in Riyadh on Sunday.

The Grand Mufti noted that the extensive studies on such issues are being carried out through judicious scientific research and through forming specialized preparatory committees, including temporary committees on the basis of each topic, such as the committee concerned with studying medical issues, as well as the committee concerned with studying the issues related to Hajj and Umrah rituals, and the holy sites. Al-Sheikh stated that the General Secretariat of the Council of Senior Scholars conclude partnerships with specialized bodies to take advantage of their expertise when carrying out studies on relevant topics.

The Grand Mufti spoke about the approach taken by the Saudi rulers ever since the periods of King Abdul Aziz and his successors until the time of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman in a way serving the interests of the nation and its people in the best possible manner. “The King continued to work hard, diligently, firmly, and determinedly in the service of his religion, his nation, and his homeland. God Almighty has also blessed Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman in carrying out all the tasks assigned to him by the King. The Kingdom enjoys security, safety, prosperity and stability, despite the difficult and volatile political, security and health conditions the world has gone through and is going through,” he said.

The Grand Mufti emphasized that Saudi Arabia continues to achieve its development vision, which has become an exemplary model for the world. “The Kingdom carries out all its responsibilities with competence and efficiency, at the forefront of which is the service of the Two Holy Mosques, where it has harnessed all the capabilities of the state to serve visitors and pilgrims to the Two Holy Mosques as well as to enable them to perform their rituals in ease and comfort,” he said.

Al-Sheikh also highlighted the Saudi government’s efforts in serving Islam and Muslims through its initiatives and communications to bring the ranks together, and uniting the word in a way that serves their causes and promotes regional and global peace and stability.

The Grand Mufti praised the Kingdom’s firm and well-established positions and its ongoing efforts to support the just cause of Palestine, and the great political and humanitarian efforts that the Kingdom has been undertaking to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in the besieged Gaza Strip.