Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Ameer Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, issued a condolence message on 23 September expressing deep sorrow over the demise of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Head of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh.

In his condolence message, he said: “The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Head of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh, passed away on 23 September at 11 a.m. (local time in Saudi Arabia). Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un. I express my deep grief at his passing.”

He further said: “Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh was appointed as the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia in 1999 and also served as the head of the country’s Council of Senior Scholars. The responsibilities of the Grand Mufti include issuing fatwas on various legal, social, and religious matters, which have had a profound influence on the Saudi judicial system. Since 1981, he continuously delivered the Hajj sermon for 35 years, setting a record in Islamic history as the longest-serving khateeb of Masjid Namira. In 2016, he retired due to old age.”

In his message of condolence, he stated: “With the demise of Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Sheikh, the Muslim Ummah has lost a great scholar of Islam, an Islamic thinker, and a guardian. For 35 long years, he rendered immense service to the Muslim Ummah by delivering the guiding sermons of Hajj. His death has cast a shadow of grief across Saudi Arabia as well as the wider Muslim world.”

He also said in the condolence message: “May Allah Almighty, accept all the services of his life. May Allah forgive his sins, fill him with virtues, and grant him the highest rank in Jannatul Firdaus.”

“On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and myself, I extend my deepest condolences to his bereaved family members, relatives, well-wishers, colleagues, and the people of Saudi Arabia. I pray to Allah, the Almighty to grant them the strength to endure this loss with patience. Ameen.”