Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti and Head of the Council of Senior Scholars, Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Sheikh, passed away on Tuesday, September 23, at the age of 82.

The Royal Court confirmed his death in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), noting his leadership of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta and the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League.

His funeral prayer will be held after Asr at the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh. By royal directive, prayers in absentia will also be performed at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, and in mosques across the Kingdom.

Born in Makkah in 1943, Sheikh Abdulaziz memorised the Quran at an early age, overcame the loss of his sight in his twenties, and pursued advanced Sharia studies. Appointed Grand Mufti in 1999, he served as the Kingdom’s highest religious authority for more than two decades.

King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman extended condolences to his family, the Saudi people, and Muslims worldwide, praising his lifelong dedication to Islamic scholarship.

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Thane (PTI): A 28-year-old woman died after falling off a crowded suburban local train during the morning rush hour in Maharashtra's Thane district on Saturday, the Government Railway Police (GRP) said.

The incident occurred around 8.10 am at the Badlapur railway station, an official from the Kalyan GRP said.

The victim, Chetana Devrukhkar, was attempting to board a moving train heading for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) when she slipped and fell on the platform, senior inspector Pandhari Kande of the Kalyan GRP said.

He said that the deceased worked with a firm in Thane and was travelling to work.

A case of accidental death has been registered in connection with the incident.