Saudi Arabia Gets New Grand Mufti, Says ‘As Long As Islam Exists, Jihad Will Exist’

Whenever Jihad is mentioned, the principles of Islam are mentioned first because the word has been an integral part of Islamic culture. The main meaning of Jihad is to strive and struggle for good deeds. Saudi Arabia has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan as the country’s new Grand Mufti, the highest religious scholar.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that King Salman appointed 90-year-old Sheikh Saleh to the post on the recommendation of his son, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, late on Wednesday.

Sheikh Saleh has faced criticism in the Western media for some of his statements. In 2017, when asked whether Sunni Muslims should regard Shia Muslims as their “brothers”, he replied that they are “brothers of Satan”.

In 2003, Saleh supported slavery, saying that slavery is a form of Islam and part of jihad. Jihad will exist as long as Islam exists.

In 2016, Saleh also issued a fatwa against the Pokemon Go game, calling it gambling. However, the Crown Prince himself holds a large stake in Niantic, the company that created Pokemon Go.

Sheikh Saleh assumed the post after the death of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah al-Sheikh, who held the position of Grand Mufti for twenty-five years. Both are descendants of the Al-Sheikh family, which has held the position of Grand Mufti since the 18th century.

The position of Grand Mufti is one of the highest Islamic leadership positions in the Sunni Muslim world. With Saudi Arabia being home to the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, the Grand Mufti’s statements are also closely watched around the world.