At a Glance

  • Location: Madinah
  • Date: 24 Rabi' al-Thani 1447H, corresponding to October 16, 2025
  • Venue: Madinah Chamber
  • Organizer: Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque

The symposium "The Legacy of Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saleh — May God Have Mercy on Him — and His Efforts at the Prophet's Mosque" concluded today at the Madinah Chamber. Organized by the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque, the symposium brought together a host of scholars, researchers and distinguished figures to honor the memory of the late sheikh and his prominent scholarly and religious contributions.

Across its sessions, the symposium examined Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saleh's biography and his scholarly and judicial career, his adherence to a moderate Salafi methodology, and his role in issuing religious rulings, social reform and serving the Prophet's Mosque, in addition to his efforts to instill values of moderation that embodied the spirit of Islam in his approach and thought.

The closing statement noted that the symposium's sessions covered several themes addressing his work in the judiciary, religious policy, and preaching, as well as enjoining good and forbidding wrong, affirming that his life story stands as a model of the devoted scholar who combined knowledge, action and community service.

At the symposium's conclusion, participants recommended collecting, authenticating and publishing the sheikh's scholarly heritage; establishing a digital platform to document his recitations and sermons; and preparing a scholarly encyclopedia documenting the biographies of imams and scholars of the Two Holy Mosques. They also called for activating partnerships between the Presidency of Religious Affairs, universities and research centers to conduct specialized studies on the luminaries of the Two Holy Mosques. The closing statement further recommended launching an annual prize named after Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Saleh for the best research serving religious affairs at the Two Holy Mosques, and documenting his biography through a comprehensive visual media project highlighting his moderate approach to religious rulings, preaching and the judiciary.

The recommendations also included naming some educational landmarks in Madinah after him, establishing scholarly endowments in his name to serve students of knowledge, and forming a scientific committee to follow up on implementing the recommendations and to prepare for future symposiums.

At the close of the symposium, participants extended their deepest gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and to His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, for their care and attention to the Two Holy Mosques and to scholars and scholarship. They also expressed their appreciation to the Emir of Madinah region, Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, for his patronage of the symposium, and to Dr. Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz Al-Sudais for his oversight and his commitment to highlighting the legacy and blessed efforts of the scholars of the Two Holy Mosques.