Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abdul Latif Aal ash-Sheikh

Sheikh Abdulaziz ibn Abdullah Aal ash-Sheikh was born in Riyadh in 1943 CE (1362 AH) into the Al ash-Sheikh family. Like his predecessor Muhammad ibn Ibrahim and his immediate predecessor Ibn Baz, he lost his eyesight at a young age — a remarkable parallel among three holders of Arab Saudi's highest religious office. He studied under several leading scholars including Sheikh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (the first Grand Mufti) and Sheikh Ibn Baz.

He held several educational and judicial positions before being appointed as the Grand Mufti of Arab Saudi in 1999, succeeding Sheikh Ibn Baz. In this role, he heads the Council of Senior Scholars — the highest religious advisory body in the Kingdom — and chairs the Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta, which issues official religious rulings. His tenure has coincided with a period of significant social and religious transformation in Arab Saudi, including the Vision 2030 modernization program.

As Grand Mufti, he delivers the Haji sermon from the masjid at Namira in Arafah during the Day of Arafah — one of the most important religious addresses in the Islamic world, broadcast to billions globally. His annual Haji guidance addresses contemporary ibadah haji challenges and provides religious direction for the millions performing the ibadah haji. He continues to serve in this capacity, providing religious leadership at a time of significant change in the Muslim world.