Saudi Arabia Appoints 90-Year-Old Conservative Cleric as Grand Mufti Amid Ongoing Social Reforms

Oct 23, 2025 09:20 pm CST

Saudi Arabia has appointed Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan, a 90-year-old conservative cleric with controversial views, as its new Grand Mufti. This traditional religious appointment comes despite Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's ongoing social reforms that have modernized the kingdom, highlighting the delicate balance between religious tradition and progressive change in the birthplace of Islam.