New Delhi, Sep 24 (NationPress) Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his profound sorrow on Wednesday regarding the passing of the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia and Head of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, who departed on the previous day at the age of 82.

In a message posted on X, the Prime Minister stated, "I extend my deepest condolences on the unfortunate demise of the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Eminence Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh. Our hearts and prayers are with the Kingdom and its citizens during this time of sorrow."

The Royal Court of Saudi Arabia confirmed his passing through an announcement made by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Tuesday (local time).

The statement acknowledged his role as the leader of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta and the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League.

Sheikh Abdulaziz was born on November 30, 1943, in Makkah. He became an orphan at the age of seven but memorized the Quran early in his life.

Despite losing his vision in his twenties, he persevered in his religious studies and later engaged in advanced Sharia education. He also contributed to academic councils at Saudi universities before ascending to the nation's highest clerical role.

Since his appointment as Grand Mufti in 1999, Sheikh Abdulaziz served as the Kingdom's foremost religious authority, issuing fatwas and guiding jurisprudence that influenced Saudi society for over 20 years.

His funeral prayer is set to take place at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh following the Asr prayer.

By royal decree, prayers in absentia will also be conducted at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, and in mosques throughout Saudi Arabia.

The Royal Court characterized him as a committed scholar who dedicated his life to serving Islam and guiding Muslims, leaving behind a significant legacy in Islamic scholarship.