THE 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS - CESD

11HIS EMINENCE SHEIKHABDUL AZIZ IBN ABDULLAH AAL AL SHEIKHGrand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi ArabiaAs the Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn AbdullahAal al Sheikh has the highest position of religious authorityin the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is an Islamicscholar based in Mecca—the seat of Sunni Islam—and has influence as a leading cleric of the expansiveglobal movement of Salafi Muslims.Country: Saudi ArabiaDate of Birth: 1941Source of Influence: Scholarly,AdministrativeInfluence: Grand Mufti to 29million Saudis and the globalnetwork of Salafi MuslimsSchool of Thought: SalafiRank: 2010:11 · 2009:11Head of Sunni Jurisprudential CommitteesSheikh Abdul Aziz Aal al Sheikh is chairman of theCouncil of Senior Scholars, a scientific consultativecommission composed of leading Sunni specialistscholars of sharia (Islamic law). He has been behind fatwas that call for more rights forwomen and children.Al Sheikh is also chairman of the Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and fatwas (religiousrulings), a special committee designated for the researching and issuing of religiousrulings on jurisprudence, Hadith, and Aqida (creed) for the Sunni world.As head of the Presidency for Scientific Research and Religious Edicts (Dar al Ifta), al Sheikhis often the spokesperson for controversial rulings issued from the Kingdom. He is recognizedfor his influence in enforcing a distinct view of Islamic tradition. In 2008, he publiclycriticized Muslim televangelists who encouraged Muslims to celebrate birthdays andanniversaries—stressing, instead, that only the two occasions of ‘Eid and the weekly Fridayobservations are valid occasions to celebrate. In this, and also in his condemnation of Turkishsoap operas sweeping the Arab World, al Sheikh has stressed the importance of eliminatingdistracting practices. He is also ardently opposed to the practice of marrying off very younggirls to older men, emphasizing its incongruence with human decency and Islamic tradition.Central Figure of Global Salafi MovementAs Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, al Sheikh is the leading religious figure ofthe Saudi-based network of Salafi Muslims. He stresses the importance of adhering to a literalinterpretation of the scripture and following Islam as it was practiced by the early generationsof Muslims. The rulings derived by al Sheikh are based heavily on a literal reading of theQur’an and emphasize the need to strip away innovative cultural practices that have becomea part of Muslims’ lives across cultures. The movement he leads is characterized by an authoritativestance on Islamic religious practice.Eminent ScholarshipGrand Mufti al Sheikh is recognized as a leading contemporary scholar of Islam. He has leveragedthis influence by openly speaking out against Osama bin Laden and Al Qaeda as forcesthat push a dangerous ideological terrorism. He spoke for the need for a war—to be fought byacademics, the media, religious leaders and even parents—against deviant thought that leadsoverzealous Muslims toward extremism and violence.48