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Top Saudi cleric will not deliver hajj sermon
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Saudi Arabia’s top cleric will not be delivering this year’s prestigious hajj sermon on Sunday for the first time in more than three decades.
Al-Riyadh newspaper reported Saturday that Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh, who has delivered the sermon since 1981, will be replaced by Sheikh Saleh bin Hamid.
Hamid previously served as chairman of the top consultative Shura Council and was appointed to the Supreme Judicial Council before serving as a royal adviser. The newspaper did not give a reason for the change.
The mufti sparked controversy this week when he was quoted as saying Iran’s Shiite leaders “are not Muslims.” He was responding to criticism from Iran’s supreme leader over Saudi Arabia’s response to a crush and stampede that killed hundreds of pilgrims during last year’s hajj.
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