Fatwa Symposium at Two Holy Mosques Highlights Saudi Fatwa Methodology

The Fatwa Symposium at the Two Holy Mosques and Its Role in Providing Ease for Pilgrims held its third session on August 28, 2024, in Madinah, highlighting Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish a comprehensive fatwa methodology and enhance its role within the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque. The session, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Manea, Advisor at the Royal Court and member of the Council of Senior Scholars, took place at the Prophet’s Mosque in the presence of numerous scholars, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to religious guidance and service to pilgrims and visitors.

Context and Background

Organized by the Presidency for Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, in collaboration with the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta, and with media partnership from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the symposium addresses the critical role of fatwa (religious edicts) in providing ease and clarity for worshippers. This initiative reflects Saudi Arabia’s longstanding tradition of fostering scholarly dialogue to support the millions of pilgrims and Umrah performers who visit the holy sites annually, a responsibility the Kingdom takes with the utmost seriousness.

Key Details from the Third Session

During the session, Sheikh Abdulbari bin Awad Al-Thubaiti, Imam and Khatib at the Prophet’s Mosque, emphasized the enhanced status of fatwa in the Two Holy Mosques and their impact on alleviating hardship, combating extremism, promoting intellectual security, and preserving faith. Sheikh Khalid bin Sulaiman Al-Muhanna, another Imam and Khatib, addressed how fatwa fosters obedience and unity among Muslims, aligning their voices with truth. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khudairi, Vice President of Religious Affairs at the Prophet’s Mosque, showcased the Presidency’s efforts in guiding inquirers, noting the increasing influx to the holy sites and the importance of a competent body to meet diverse religious needs.

Service Delivery and Innovation

Al-Khudairi highlighted the comprehensive program for answering inquiries, with services available around the clock through guidance offices, internal telephones in the mosques’ corridors, toll-free numbers, and a guiding robot. The program features 84 scholars at the Grand Mosque and 20 at the Prophet’s Mosque, with translation services in more than 10 languages, ensuring accessibility for the international community of worshippers.

Implications and Impact

This symposium reinforces Saudi Arabia’s leadership in Islamic scholarship and its dedication to ensuring that fatwa issuance is systematic, compassionate, and aligned with the needs of a growing number of visitors. By setting a clear methodology, the Kingdom aims to promote unity, combat extremism, and provide spiritual ease, strengthening its role as a global hub for Islamic learning and guidance.

20 Questions

Q1. What was the main focus of the third session of the Fatwa Symposium?

A1. The session focused on Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish a fatwa methodology and enhance its role within the Two Holy Mosques, chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Manea.

Q2. Where did the symposium take place?

A2. The symposium took place at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, under the organization of the Presidency for Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.

Q3. Who chaired the third session?

A3. The session was chaired by Sheikh Abdullah bin Sulaiman Al-Manea, Advisor at the Royal Court and member of the Council of Senior Scholars.

Q4. Which organizations co-organized the symposium?

A4. The symposium was organized by the Presidency for Religious Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, in collaboration with the General Presidency for Scholarly Research and Ifta.

Q5. What role did the Saudi Press Agency play?

A5. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) served as a media partner for the symposium, highlighting its significance.

Q6. Who is Sheikh Abdulbari bin Awad Al-Thubaiti?

A6. Sheikh Abdulbari bin Awad Al-Thubaiti is the Imam and Khatib at the Prophet’s Mosque, who emphasized the key features of fatwa during the session.

Q7. What topics did Sheikh Al-Thubaiti cover?

A7. He highlighted fatwa’s impact on alleviating hardship, combating extremism, promoting intellectual security, and preserving faith.

Q8. What is the role of Sheikh Khalid bin Sulaiman Al-Muhanna?

A8. Sheikh Khalid bin Sulaiman Al-Muhanna is an Imam and Khatib at the Prophet’s Mosque who addressed fatwa’s impact on unity among Muslims.

Q9. How does fatwa contribute to unity according to Sheikh Al-Muhanna?

A9. He underscored that fatwa fosters obedience to truth and aligns Muslim voices, promoting unity and collective faith.

Q10. Who is Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khudairi?

A10. Sheikh Mohammed Al-Khudairi is Vice President of Religious Affairs at the Prophet’s Mosque, who showcased guidance efforts for visitors.

Q11. What guidance services are available at the Two Holy Mosques?

A11. Services include guidance offices, internal telephones, toll-free numbers, and a guiding robot, available around the clock.

Q12. How many scholars serve at the Grand Mosque?

A12. There are 84 scholars at the Grand Mosque providing religious guidance to visitors.

Q13. How many scholars serve the Prophet’s Mosque?

A13. The Prophet’s Mosque has 20 scholars dedicated to answering inquiries from pilgrims and visitors.

Q14. How many languages are supported for translation services?

A14. Translation services are offered in more than 10 languages to accommodate international visitors.

Q15. What is Vision 2030’s target for pilgrims and Umrah performers?

A15. Vision 2030 aims to raise visitors to 5 million pilgrims and 30 million Umrah performers annually.

Q16. How does the influx of visitors relate to fatwa services?

A16. The increasing number of visitors highlights the need for competent religious guidance, which the Presidency provides through its programs.

Q17. What is the purpose of the Religious Affairs Presidency?

A17. The Presidency aims to accommodate growing visitor numbers and meet diverse religious service needs.

Q18. How does the symposium combat extremism?

A18. By promoting a clear fatwa methodology, the symposium helps promote intellectual security and counter extremist ideologies.

Q19. What is the impact of the symposium on international visitors?

A19. The symposium ensures visitors receive accurate, accessible guidance, enhancing their spiritual experience and ease.

Q20. How does this event reflect Saudi leadership?

A20. The event showcases Saudi Arabia’s commitment to religious scholarship, unity, and service to the global Muslim community.

Vision 2030 Alignment

This symposium directly supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 by enhancing the religious and spiritual services for the increasing number of pilgrims and Umrah performers, a core goal of the Kingdom’s diversification and tourism strategy. By refining fatwa methodologies and leveraging technology, Saudi Arabia reinforces its global leadership in Islamic scholarship, promoting ease, unity, and intellectual security for millions of visitors, while contributing to the ambitious targets of hosting 5 million pilgrims and 30 million Umrah performers annually.

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