Imams of the Grand Mosque in Makkah (Imam-e-Ka‘bah), present and past
Saudipedia’s list, based on the General Presidency of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, names every imam and preacher of the Grand Mosque from 1924 to 2021.
Sources: Saudipedia — imams and preachers of the Grand Mosque in the Saudi era
Imams in recent service
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais (عبد الرحمن السديس)
- Born 1962; appointed imam and khatib of the Grand Mosque in 1984.
- President of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque (minister rank) by royal order of 8 August 2023; still described in this role by Arab News in June 2026.
- Delivered the Day of Arafat sermon in 2016.
Sources: Saudipedia — Abdulrahman al-Sudais · Arab News (June 2026) · Arab News — Arafat sermon (2016)
Sheikh Saleh bin Abdullah bin Humaid (صالح بن حميد)
- Born 1950 in Buraidah; the first holder of a doctorate to be appointed imam of the Grand Mosque (sources give 1983 or 1984 for the appointment).
- Former Speaker of the Shura Council and head of the Supreme Judicial Council; King Faisal Prize 2016; delivered the Day of Arafat sermon in 2025.
- Visited Pakistan in November 2023 and led Friday prayer at Faisal Mosque, Islamabad.
Sources: Gulf News — Arafat sermon 2025 · Arab News Pakistan — Imam-e-Kaaba visits Pakistan (2023)
Sheikh Maher Al-Muaiqly (ماهر المعيقلي)
Imam of the Grand Mosque; delivered the Day of Arafat sermon in 2024.
Sources: Arab News — Arafat sermon 2024
Sheikh Abdullah Awad Al-Juhany (عبد الله عواد الجهني)
Born in Madinah; imam of the Grand Mosque since July 2007 and a Taraweeh imam in Makkah since 2008; has delivered the Friday sermon at Faisal Mosque, Islamabad (Arab News, 2019).
Sources: Arab News — Abdullah Al-Juhany (2019)
Sheikh Bandar Baleelah (بندر بليلة)
Born 1975 in Makkah; appointed an official imam by royal decree in October 2013, Friday khatib from 2019, and a member of the Council of Senior Scholars from October 2020 (Arab News, 2021).
Sources: Arab News — Bandar Baleelah (2021)
Sheikh Usamah Khayyat (أسامة خياط)
Has led prayers at the Grand Mosque since 1998; appointed to the Shura Council in 1993; professor at Umm Al-Qura University (Arab News, 2022).
Sources: Arab News — Usamah Khayyat (2022)
Sheikh Faisal Ghazzawi (فيصل غزاوي)
Born 1965; imam of the Grand Mosque from 2007 (Arab News, 2019).
Sources: Arab News — Faisal Ghazzawi (2019)
Sheikh Yasser Al-Dosari (ياسر الدوسري)
Described by Arab News in September 2024 as an imam of the Grand Mosque.
Sources: Arab News — Yasser Al-Dosari (2024)
Sheikh Badr Al-Turki and Sheikh Al-Waleed Al-Shamsan
Both appointed imams of the Grand Mosque by royal decree, reported in October 2024.
Sources: Arab News — royal decree appointing imams (Oct 2024)
Former imams
Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim (سعود الشريم)
Born 1966 in Riyadh; judge and Umm Al-Qura University academic; profiled by Arab News as an imam of the Grand Mosque in April 2022. Reports indicate he no longer led prayers there from late 2022.
Sources: Arab News — Saud Al-Shuraim (2022)
Imams who have passed away
Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdullah Al-Subayyil (محمد بن عبد الله السبيل)
Former President-General of the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques and member of the Council of Senior Scholars; led prayers at the Grand Mosque for decades. Died in Jeddah on 17 December 2012, aged 92 (Arab News).
Sources: Arab News — Sheikh Al-Subail buried (2012)
Sheikh Ali Jaber (علي جابر)
Born 1952 in Jeddah; became imam of the Grand Mosque during the reign of King Khalid and served until 1989; renowned for his recitation. Died in December 2005, aged 53.
Sources: Arab News — Sheikh Ali Jaber (2005)
Sheikh Umar bin Muhammad Al-Subayyil (عمر بن محمد السبيل)
Served 11 years as imam and khatib of the Grand Mosque; died on 15 March 2002, aged 43, after a traffic accident.
Sources: Arab News — Sheikh Omar Al-Subail (2002)
Other imams of the past
Saudipedia’s list of imams and preachers since 1924 also includes, among many others, Sheikh Abdullah bin Muhammad Al-Khulaifi, Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdul Ghani Khayyat and Sheikh Muhammad bin Saleh Ibn Uthaymin, as well as King Faisal bin Abdulaziz.
Sources: Saudipedia — imams and preachers of the Grand Mosque in the Saudi era