Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi

Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi (Arabic: عبد العظيم العفيفي‎; ~1971 – 11 July 2018) was an Egyptian-born Australian Sunni Islamic cleric and scholar, who was Grand Mufti of Australia from March 2018 until his death four months later in July.

Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi
Arabic: عبد العظيم العفيفي‎
Title	Grand Mufti of Australia
Personal
Born	Approx 1971 Egypt
Died	11 July 2018 (age: 47) The Northern Hospital, Epping, Melbourne
Cause of death	Cancer
Religion	Islam
Nationality	Australian
Denomination	Sunni
Muslim leader
Period in office	March–July 2018
Predecessor	Ibrahim Abu Mohamed
Successor	Ibrahim Abu Mohamed

Al-Afifi was born in Egypt, where he graduated with a degree in Islamic studies and a master's degree in Quranic recitations. He visited Australia in 2000 to conduct a Ramadan sermon, and decided to stay in Melbourne.[1] He was a founding member of the Australian National Imams Council, and served as president of the council for two terms. In March 2018, Ibrahim Abu Mohamed stepped down as Grand Mufti after serving the constitutional maximum of two terms in the role, and Al-Afifi was elected as his replacement.[2]

On 11 July 2018, it was announced that Al-Afifi had died of cancer at The Northern Hospital, Epping, aged 47.[1]

References

1. "Australia's Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi dies". SBS News. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
2. "Sheikh Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi has been announced as the new Mufti of Australia". The Middle East Times. 24 March 2018. Retrieved 12 July 2018.