Jordan’s King Abdullah II Honors Senior Omani Scholar Sheikh Ahmed al-Siyabi in Amman
The Order of Distinction of the First Degree was given to H.E. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saud al-Siyabi, Secretary-General of the Office of the Grand Mufti of Oman, by His Majesty King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of Jordan. This was done because of his work in Islamic academia and his efforts toward intellectual moderation and his service to religious causes. I felt honored at the awarding ceremony on behalf of His Majesty the King.
The awarding ceremony was carried out in the name of His Majesty the King. The awarding ceremony will be held at the palace of Al Husseiniya (Amman). This event will also be supported by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.
The event brought together senior Jordanian officials alongside more than 70 prominent Islamic academics and intellectuals representing prestigious educational institutions across approximately 30 nations worldwide.
The award ceremony took place on the sidelines of the 19th General Conference of the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought. Convened under the overarching theme “The Ummah’s Priorities for the Next 25 Years (2026–2050),” the international forum brings together leading global figures to deliberate key challenges facing the Muslim world and establish forward-looking strategies for intellectual and social development over the coming decades.
The royal conferment highlights Sheikh Ahmed al-Siyabi’s decades of intellectual leadership as the executive head of Oman’s Grand Mufti’s Office. Throughout his distinguished tenure, Sheikh Ahmed has consistently championed academic rigor, historic preservation, and religious moderation while working to foster interfaith harmony and cross-cultural understanding throughout the broader Middle East.
Attended by senior members of the Hashemite Royal Family—including His Royal Highness Prince Hashim bin Al Hussein and His Royal Highness Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad—the ceremony emphasized the pivotal role of regional religious scholars in addressing contemporary global challenges while upholding core principles of tolerance and unity.
The bestowing of this top Jordanian honor also underscores the historical ties and enduring diplomatic and cultural alignment between the Sultanate of Oman and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Both nations continue to collaborate extensively across regional platforms to promote balanced Islamic thought, safeguard cultural heritage, and encourage structured dialogue among regional academic bodies.
Scholars and delegates at the conference praised the recognition of Sheikh Ahmed, citing his extensive published literature and ongoing dedication to strengthening international academic networks.
