After 35 years of delivering sermons and leading prayers in Namirah Mosque, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Bin Abdullah Al-Asheikh, chairman of the Senior Scholars’ Commission and Ifta Council, has apologized and will not be taking the job this year for health reasons.

Al-Asheikh used to deliver the sermon and lead the prayer at Namirah Mosque, which is also known as the-one-day-mosque, on the day of the Grand Stand in Arafat.

The Grand Mufti has been doing this since 1981 but has decided to step down this year because his health was no longer permitting.

Quoting reliable sources, Okaz said on Saturday that the Mufti might probably be replaced by Sheikh Salih bin Humaid, member of the commission and imam of the Grand Mosque.

The sources also spoke about two other names who might be possible replacements. They are Minister of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance Sheikh Salih Al-Asheikh and chairman of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais who is also an imam of the Grand Mosque.