Senior Ulama Shaykh-Up: Who's Out / Who's In

In the government reshuffle, 6 out of 18 or about 33% of the members of the Senior Council of the Ulama, the Kingdom's highest religious body were replaced. Most of those replaced were non-permanent members of the council, having been appointed in 2005 to 4 year terms. Retaining his chairmanship is Abd al-Aziz bin Abdallah bin Muhammad Al al-Shaykh, who has been a member of the council since 1986 and took over as head in 1999 after the death of long time Shaykh Abd al-Aziz bin Baz.

Conservative council member Salih bin Muhammad al-Luhaydan lost his post as Chairman of the kingdom's less prestigious Judicial Council (sources cited Luhaydan's long running criticism of Arabic satellite channels--some of which are owned by Royal family members--as the impetus for the demotion). Luhaydan none-the-less retained his position on the Senior Ulama.

Of interest in the new appointments is that at least two of the new members are graduates and former professors at the Kingdom's Islamic University in Medina. Islamic University is the smallest of the Kingdom's three predominantly religious higher education institutions. It is also known for its relatively more cosmopolitan orientation, hosting a large number of foreign students seeking degrees in Islamic studies. Such appointments may fit well with King Abdallah's desire for greater international dialogue on religion.

• Abdallah bin Muhammad al-Mutlaq -- Given a senior advisor role.
• Muhammad bin Arus bin Abd al-Qadir Muhammad -- appointed in 2005
• Ali bin Saad bin Salih al-Dhuwayhi -- former professor at Imam Muhammad University
• Yusif bin Muhammad bin Ali al-Ghufays -- appointed in 2005. Relieved at his request.
• Abdallah bin Saad bin Muhammad al-Rashid --appointed in 2005, former professor, Imam Muhammad University
• Abd al-Rahman bin Muhammad bin Fahd al-Sadhan --former Imam Muhammad University Professor, appointed 2005

• Saleh Bin Abd al-Rahman Al-Husayn
• Abdallah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim Al al-Shaykh - Born in 1948,...a former graduate and professor at Imam Muhammad University.
• Ali bin Abbas bin Uthman Hakami -- Born in 1944, a former graduate and professor at Islamic University in Madina.
• Qays bin Muhammad Abd al-Latif Al al-Shaykh Mubarak
• Muhammad bin Abd al-Karim bin Abd al-Aziz al-Issa
• Muhammad bin Muhammad bin al-Mukhtar Muhammad -- Born in 1962. The youngest member of the Senior Ulama. a former graduate and professor at Islamic University.