Saudi Arabia Appoints Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan as New Grand Mufti
DUBAI,: Saudi Arabia has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, a prominent ultraconservative cleric, as the kingdom’s new grand mufti — its highest religious authority.
According to the state-run Saudi Press Agency, the 90-year-old scholar’s appointment was approved by King Salman upon the recommendation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Born on September 28, 1935, in Al-Qassim province, Sheikh Saleh began studying the Quran under a local imam following his father’s death. Over the decades, he became one of the most influential figures in Saudi religious circles, known for his popular radio program “Noor ala al-Darb” (“Light the Way”), numerous books, and television appearances. His religious rulings, or fatwas, are widely circulated online.
Sheikh Saleh has drawn international criticism for some of his past statements. In 2017, Human Rights Watch reported that he referred to Shiite Muslims as “brothers of Satan” and declared them unbelievers — remarks that reflect the sectarian tensions often present in Saudi religious discourse, especially amid the kingdom’s rivalry with Iran. He has also condemned Yemen’s Houthi rebels for attacking Saudi holy sites.
In 2003, Sheikh Saleh was quoted as saying, “Slavery is a part of Islam. Slavery is part of jihad, and jihad will remain as long as there is Islam.” He was also linked to a 2016 fatwa banning the popular mobile game “Pokémon Go” as a form of gambling — ironic, given that Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund now holds major stakes in Nintendo and Niantic, the game’s developer.
Sheikh Saleh succeeds Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, who served as grand mufti for 25 years before his death in September. The position has traditionally been held by members of the Al-Sheikh family, descendants of 18th-century scholar Sheikh Mohammed Ibn Abdul-Wahhab, whose austere interpretation of Islam — often referred to as “Wahhabism” — has long shaped the kingdom’s religious identity.
As the spiritual leader of one of the world’s most influential Sunni nations and the custodian of Islam’s holiest sites in Mecca and Medina, the grand mufti holds immense sway over Islamic thought and practice.
The appointment comes as Saudi Arabia continues its social transformation under King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who have introduced sweeping reforms — from allowing women to drive to reopening cinemas — as part of efforts to diversify the kingdom’s economy and modernize its image.
