The Council of Senior Scholars in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia held its 98th session today at the headquarters of the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta in Riyadh. The session was chaired by His Eminence the new Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, President of the Council of Senior Scholars, in the presence of all members of the Council and its Secretary-General. This meeting is of particular importance as it is the first under his chairmanship.
The Grand Mufti's statement: an affirmation of the state's strength and principles
In his opening remarks, His Eminence the Grand Mufti praised the great support the Commission receives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, may God protect them. His Eminence affirmed that this support is the fundamental pillar enabling the Commission to study the cases referred to it and issue appropriate Sharia rulings regarding them.
His Eminence said: “We praise God Almighty who has bestowed upon us in this blessed and good land, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the unity of its people and their word, under the leadership of its rulers, based on the Book of God Almighty and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him.” He added that the Kingdom, both its leadership and its people, are proud to serve the Two Holy Mosques and the holy sites, and to provide every means of comfort and tranquility for the pilgrims. He emphasized that “this nation is strong and proud, strong by the grace of God and by the efforts of its people,” considering the growth, prosperity, and stability the Kingdom is witnessing as evidence of its commitment to upholding the pure Sharia.
Historical context and the role of the Council of Senior Scholars
The Council of Senior Scholars was established in 1971 and is the highest official religious authority in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Composed of a select group of scholars specializing in Islamic law, its primary mission is to provide legal opinions on public matters referred to it by the ruler, issue fatwas on major issues, and review regulations and laws to ensure their conformity with Islamic law. The Council plays a pivotal role in preserving the Islamic identity of the Kingdom and guiding society in accordance with the principles of Islam.
The importance of the 98th session and its expected impact
This session is of particular importance as it represents a continuation of the Council's established approach under new leadership. The decisions and discussions arising from the Council's meetings have a profound impact at the local level, contributing to the formulation of public policies and guiding public opinion on social and cultural issues. Regionally and internationally, the Council's outputs reinforce the Kingdom's position as a leading religious authority in the Islamic world, with Muslims worldwide following its fatwas and rulings with great interest, reflecting the Kingdom's religious and political weight.
A busy agenda and strategic issues
For his part, the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Fahd bin Saad Al-Majed, explained that the agenda for the current session includes a number of important and strategic topics referred by the Royal Court, the Ministry of Interior, and the Permanent Committee for Fatwas. He noted that preparations for the session begin early through specialized advisory committees and carefully prepared, peer-reviewed research to ensure that the issues are studied from all angles, reflecting the depth of the methodology the Council follows in addressing critical issues for society and the state.
