King Salman Appoints New Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia

King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued a royal order appointing Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan as the new Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia. The decree was issued and announced on Wednesday, 22 October 2025 (30 Rabi' al-Thani 1447 AH), based on a recommendation from Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan becomes the fourth Grand Mufti in the Kingdom's history. He succeeds the late Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Sheikh, who served in the position for around 25 years before his passing in September 2025.

Under the same royal order, Sheikh Al-Fawzan was also appointed Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars and President of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, with ministerial rank. These roles place him at the head of the Kingdom's leading bodies for religious research and the issuing of fatwas.

Why it matters

The Grand Mufti is the highest-ranking religious and legal authority in Saudi Arabia and is appointed directly by the King. The position carries significant weight in matters of religious guidance and scholarly opinion that affect the wider community across the Kingdom.

As this is an internal state decision formalized by royal decree, no public procedures, fees, or online services apply. As of 2026, Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan remains the current Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia.

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