Sheikh Al-Fawzan emphasizes moderation and active community outreach by muftis

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and Head of the Presidency of Scientific Research and Ifta Sheikh Saleh Al-Fawzan emphasized the importance of upholding moderation and ensuring active community outreach by muftis. He made the remarks during his meeting with members of the Council of Senior Scholars who are mandated to issue religious edicts (fatwas) across various regions of the Kingdom. During the meeting, the Grand Mufti commended the scholars for their efforts and contributions, urging them to further activate the role of the presidency’s branches throughout the Kingdom. Sheikh Al-Fawzan also directed that an expanded meeting be convened under the chairmanship of the Secretary General of the Council of Senior Scholars Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed. The discussions at the meeting focused on matters aimed at enhancing the performance and effectiveness of the presidency’s branches. The meeting emphasized the importance of empowering scholars authorized to issue fatwas through active participation and dynamic engagement in events and activities organized by both governmental and non-governmental entities across the regions, in a manner consistent with the principles and objectives of fatwas. This approach seeks to reinforce intellectual security and promote the values of moderation through direct engagement with the community, ensuring timely and effective responses to emerging issues requiring religious rulings. The meeting also addressed mechanisms to facilitate access for individuals seeking religious guidance by enabling flexible and efficient communication channels with muftis, thereby saving time and effort while maintaining scholarly credibility. This initiative includes creating a supportive and integrated work environment that alleviates administrative responsibilities from muftis, allowing them to focus fully on jurisprudential deliberation. Such measures are expected to enhance the quality of fatwas in line with the highest professional standards. Additionally, the meeting reviewed plans concerning the role of scientific researchers and the development of their jurisprudential competencies to serve as a strong pillar supporting the fatwa and research system. This initiative aligns with the Human Capacity Development Program, through which the presidency aims to nurture a generation of researchers equipped with sound reasoning skills and the ability to engage effectively with modern information resources, thereby ensuring the continued excellence and authenticity of fatwas in the Kingdom. In his address, Sheikh Fahd Al-Majed underscored that these efforts and initiatives reflect the practical implementation of the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman regarding the care and advancement of religious affairs. He noted that these efforts aimed to present a world-class model of fatwa issuance and religious guidance that reflects Saudi Arabia’s leadership and standing in the Islamic world, in alignment with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.