MAKKAH – His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Bandar bin Abdulaziz Baleela, the renowned Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram), has been officially appointed as the Mufti for the Makkah Region.
The appointment was issued by the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, as part of a major restructuring of the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta.
A Strategic Move for Religious Guidance
The decision assigns Sheikh Baleela to lead the branch of the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta in Makkah, authorizing him to issue official religious rulings (fatwas) for the region.
This appointment is part of a broader directive by the Grand Mufti to decentralize and regulate religious guidance, ensuring that fatwas across the Kingdom are issued by trusted members of the Council of Senior Scholars.
In addition to Sheikh Baleela, the Grand Mufti assigned seven other senior scholars to oversee Ifta in other key regions, including:
Madinah Region: Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Mukhtar.
Asir and Jazan: Sheikh Dr. Jibreel Al-Busaili.
Eastern Province: Sheikh Dr. Abdulilah Al-Mulla.
Scholar and Imam
Sheikh Bandar Baleela is a highly respected figure in the Islamic world, known for his moving recitation of the Quran and his scholarly depth.
Current Roles: He serves as an Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars.
Education: He holds a Ph.D. in Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh) from the Islamic University of Madinah.
Service: He has led Taraweeh prayers at the Grand Mosque since 2013 and delivered the Hajj sermon on the Day of Arafah in 2021.
The President of Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques, Sheikh Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, congratulated Sheikh Baleela, noting that the appointment reflects the high trust placed in his knowledge and moderation.
