Mohammad al-Issa: The face of Saudi Arabia’s religious diplomacy under MBS

For eight years, Mohammad al-Issa has traveled the world defending ‘authentic Islam.’ From Niamey to Geneva, New York to Kuala Lumpur, the 59-year-old Saudi religious leader has consistently delivered the same message: cultural and religious differences are divinely ordained and must coexist in mutual respect to avoid a ‘clash of civilizations.’ Seen as a moderate, Issa was shaped by King Abdullah, who initiated a softening of Wahhabism during his reign.“Our actions aim to build bridges between East and West, and among different religions, to prevent hatred from taking root in people’s hearts,” he often stated, his short beard and generous smile lending weight to his words. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman selected Issa in 2016 to lead the Muslim World League (MWL) as secretary-general, entrusting him to be the face of Saudi Arabia’s new...