His pronouncements on every subject from personal ablution to the status of Jerusalem are followed keenly by Muslims all over the world.

ECONOMIST: The short path from faith to hatred

Half a dozen websites in English alone (like efatwa.com, muftisays.com and askimam.com) offer online advice about everything from ablution to Zionism.

ECONOMIST: Laying down religious law

The ablution rooms had some success, but the pressure to return men to the front line meant minimal time for therapy, and many patients remained infected after apparently successful treatment.

BBC: The fight against STIs