Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Abdulaziz, has died at the age of 82.

The Royal Court announced that the prominent Islamic scholar passed away on Tuesday morning.

Born in Mecca in November 1943, Sheikh Abdulaziz served as head of the General Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta, as well as the Supreme Council of the Muslim World League. He was the third person to hold the position of Grand Mufti, succeeding Sheikh Mohammed bin Ibrahim Al Shaikh and Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have extended condolences to his family, the Saudi people, and Muslims worldwide.

“With his passing, the Kingdom and the Islamic world have lost a distinguished scholar who made significant contributions to the service of science, Islam, and Muslims,” the Royal Court stated.

Funeral prayers will be held at Imam Turki bin Abdullah Mosque in Riyadh after the Asr prayer on Tuesday, with additional prayers ordered by King Salman to be observed at the Grand Mosque in Mecca, the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, and mosques across the Kingdom.