In a move aimed at streamlining the issuance of fatwas and facilitating access to reliable religious rulings, His Eminence the Grand Mufti of the Kingdom, Chairman of the Council of Senior Scholars, and General President of Scientific Research and Ifta, Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan, issued a decree appointing a select group of members of the Council of Senior Scholars to issue fatwas in various regions of the Kingdom. This decree implements the Royal Decree stipulating that the issuance of fatwas be limited to members of the Council of Senior Scholars, ensuring that fatwas are obtained from their approved sources.

List of assigned scientists and their geographical distribution

The decision included distributing the esteemed scholars across the branches of the General Presidency for Scientific Research and Ifta in the regions, to ensure comprehensive geographical coverage that meets the needs of those seeking fatwas. The distribution was as follows:

• Tabuk and Al-Jawf regions: Sheikh Yusuf bin Muhammad bin Abdulaziz bin Saeed.
• Medina region: Sheikh Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Mukhtar bin Muhammad Mazid.
• Asir and Jazan regions: Sheikh Jibril bin Muhammad bin Hassan Al-Basili.
• Al-Baha and Najran regions: Sheikh Ghaleb bin Mohammed bin Abu Al-Qasim Hamzi.
• The Qassim and Hail regions: Sheikh Sami bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Suqair.
• Makkah Region: Sheikh Bandar bin Abdulaziz bin Siraj Balila.
• Eastern Province and Northern Border Region: Sheikh Abdul-Ilah bin Muhammad Al-Mulla.

The context of the decision and its organizational and legal significance

This decision is of paramount importance in the local context, as it strengthens the regulation of fatwas and protects society from aberrant or unauthorized rulings. Restricting the issuance of fatwas to members of the Council of Senior Scholars and those they authorize is a strategic step toward consolidating intellectual security and ensuring that issued fatwas are consistent with Islamic legal principles and consider the realities of contemporary life. This contributes to unifying the discourse and preventing individual interpretations that could cause confusion.

Digital transformation and support for the fatwa system

In a related context, the Secretary-General of the Council of Senior Scholars, Dr. Fahd Al-Majed, affirmed that the Presidency does not merely assign personnel, but rather strives to empower scholars through a comprehensive support system. He pointed to the provision of a large research team comprising more than eighty researchers specializing in Islamic jurisprudence to assist scholars in clarifying and grounding legal principles.

Al-Majed also explained that the Presidency is taking rapid steps towards digital transformation in cooperation with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA). This strategic partnership aligns with the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, employing modern technologies and digital solutions to facilitate easy and convenient access to fatwa services for beneficiaries, thereby enhancing the efficiency of government performance and improving the quality of knowledge-based services provided to citizens and residents.

Promoting the values ​​of moderation and balance

This organizational and technical movement serves a higher purpose: to solidify the values ​​of moderation and balance in society. The existence of a well-established and accessible scholarly authority in all regions thwarts the advocates of extremism or laxity, and ensures the presentation of a balanced religious discourse that combines tradition and modernity, thus reflecting the enlightened image of the tolerant Islamic Sharia.

The General Authority for the Care of the Two Holy Mosques announced new statistics reflecting the scale of efforts made to serve pilgrims, confirming that more than two million Umrah pilgrims benefited from the free "release from rituals" service (shaving or trimming of hair) within the Grand Mosque. This service is a vital part of the integrated services provided by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to facilitate the pilgrims' journey.

Service location and quality standards

The authority explained that this vital service is strategically located in the eastern courtyard of the Grand Mosque, making it easily accessible to pilgrims immediately after they complete the Sa'i (ritual walking between Safa and Marwa). The designated centers for the ritual purification process operate around the clock under the direct supervision of qualified and trained technical and administrative staff experienced in managing large crowds. This ensures smooth flow and efficient service, preventing pilgrims from experiencing long waits or overcrowding, especially during peak times.

The importance of the service from a health and organizational perspective

This service is of paramount importance, extending far beyond its free provision; it represents the first line of health defense for pilgrims. Previously, some pilgrims resorted to unlicensed barbers or used unsterilized tools, posing a risk of disease transmission and infection. Today, through this initiative, the Authority ensures the application of the highest international standards of sterilization and hygiene. Disposable shaving tools are used, and strict health protocols are followed for the environmentally safe disposal of waste, thus achieving the highest levels of health and safety for those visiting the Holy Mosque.

Religious dimension and facilitating rituals

Shaving or trimming the hair is a mandatory ritual to end the state of ihram after performing Umrah. Providing a suitable, clean, and free place to perform this ritual reflects respect for the sanctity of the pilgrimage and honors the pilgrims. This service enables pilgrims to complete their rituals with ease and peace of mind, without the worry of searching for shaving facilities outside the Haram area or concerns about costs or hygiene.

Keeping pace with the Kingdom's Vision 2030

The Authority affirmed that this service is a practical implementation of the directives of the wise leadership, which aim to dedicate all resources to serving the Two Holy Mosques. These efforts directly contribute to achieving the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, specifically the "Serving the Guests of God" program, which aims to enrich the religious and cultural experience of pilgrims and visitors, increase capacity while maintaining the quality of services provided, and ensure that the Umrah experience is a safe, convenient, and memorable spiritual journey.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote public health and ensure food safety for consumers, the Jeddah Municipality, in cooperation with relevant authorities, conducted a large-scale field campaign targeting and addressing negative practices in residential neighborhoods and commercial areas. This campaign resulted in the destruction of over 1,000 kilograms (one ton) of spoiled food and the closure of four unlicensed establishments in the eastern part of the city that were operating outside of regulatory oversight.

Details of seizures and observed violations

The Director General of the General Administration for Monitoring and Addressing Negative Phenomena, Yasser Bakhsh , explained that field teams were able to identify sites being used for illegal commercial activities without the necessary permits. Inspections revealed that one site was being used to store and package vegetables and dates in an environment that lacked even the most basic health and safety standards, with a widespread infestation of insects and rodents that threatened product safety.

The deteriorating health situation at the site necessitated the destruction of large quantities of vegetables, estimated at about a ton, in addition to the confiscation of 47 cartons of dates and 4 machines that were used in packaging operations. The site was immediately closed by the sub-municipality of the region.

Random workshops and unlicensed warehouses

In a related development, the campaign uncovered another site that had been converted into an unlicensed dairy production facility operating under extremely unsanitary conditions, posing a direct threat to consumer health. The teams confiscated the equipment and materials used in the manufacturing process, including 40-kilogram , and initiated legal procedures to close the site.

The violations were not limited to food only, but the campaign included seizing a site used to store car parts and empty cartons without licenses, in addition to a fourth site that was engaged in shipping food and clothing in irregular ways, with part of it being used as a car dismantling area, where the two sites were closed and the penal regulations were applied to the violators.

The importance of municipal oversight and its impact on society

These campaigns are of paramount importance in maintaining food and health security in the Kingdom, as municipal oversight serves as the first line of defense in protecting consumers from unfair business practices. These efforts align with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to improve quality of life and enhance services provided in cities.

Eliminating unregulated sites not only helps protect public health from foodborne illnesses, but also enhances the urban landscape of Jeddah and supports the formal economy by combating commercial concealment and unlicensed activities that harm fair competition in the market.

Call for cooperation and reporting

Bakhsh concluded his statement by emphasizing the continuation of inspection campaigns to monitor all violations and curb practices that harm public health. The municipality called on all citizens and residents to cooperate with regulatory authorities by reporting any observations or municipal violations through the "Baladi" app available on smartphones, or by contacting the unified reporting center at 940 , stressing that community awareness is a key partner in the success of these efforts.