This article provides the list of the imams of the Two Holy Mosques (). They are the prayer leaders appointed to serve at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet's Mosque in Medina. They are tasked with leading daily prayers (Salah), Friday sermons, Tarawih, and other major religious observances. The imams are appointed by royal decree of the King of Saudi Arabia and serve as prayer leaders as well as Khatibs at the Two Holy Mosques. While their role is primarily religious and liturgical, some have also been noted for their Quran recitation, scholarly background, or wider public engagement through sermons broadcast from Mecca and Medina.
Current Imams of Masjid al-Haram This list includes the current Imams of Masjid al-Haram who have been officially appointed as full-time, permanent Imams: NameAppointedNotesAbdul-Rahman Al-Sudais1984Chief Imam; also President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of Haramain.Salih bin Abdullah al-Humaid1982Former Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council and prominent Islamic scholar.Yasir al-Dawsari2019–2023 2024Was reappointed in March 2024; believed to be the youngest imam appointed at the Masjid al-Haram.Maher al-Mu'aiqly2007Also served as a guest Imam at the Prophet's Mosque, during the Ramadans of 2005 and 2006.Abdullah Awad Al Juhany2007Holds a PhD. in Islamic Studies; known for his profound understanding of the Quran.Bandar Baleela2013He also works as an assistant professor at Taif University and is a member of the Council of Senior Scholars.Usama Khayyat 1998In 1993, a royal decree appointed him as a member of the Saudi Shura Council.Faisal Ghazzawi2007He lectured at Umm al-Qura University from 1989 and became an associate professor after earning his doctorate, serving in that role until 2010.Badr al-Turki2024Appointed as a permanent Imam after serving as a guest Imam during Ramadan 2024.Al-Waleed al-Shamsan
Current Imams of Prophet's Mosque This list includes the current Imams of Prophet's Mosque who have been officially appointed as full-time, permanent Imams: NameAppointedNotes'Ali al-Hudhayfi1979Chief imam of Masjid an-Nabawi.Salah Al Budair1998 / 1999Senior imam and Khatib; also serves as a judge.Abdulbari ath-Thubaity1993Previously led Ramadan tarawih at Masjid al-Haram as a guest imam.Abdulmohsen Al-Qasim1997He has authored several books, serves as an appeal judge in Medina, and teaches undergraduate students at the Islamic University of Medina.Hussain Al ash-Sheikh1997He also serves as a judge at the High Court in Medina and has previously served as a judge in several other courtsKhalid al-Muhanna2019Listed among the resident imams at Masjid an-Nabawi and is an associate professor at Taibah University.Ahmad Ali al-HudhaifyServed as Guest imam for Ramadan of 2017 to 2019 and was officially appointed in 2019. He is the son of 'Ali al-HudhayfiMuhammad Barhaji2024Appointed permanent imam of Masjid an-Nabawi by royal decree in Oct 2024 (previously guest/ Ramadan imam)Abdullah Al-QarafiAppointed permanent imam (royal approval) Oct 2024Abdullah Al-Bu'ayjaan2013Appointed permanent imam (royal approval) July 2013 Saleh Al-Maghamsi2026Appointed in Ramadan 2026.
Former Imams of Masjid al-Haram This list includes former Imams of Masjid al-Haram who were either officially appointed as full-time Imams or served as guest Imams during Ramadan only:
Name Served Notes Saud Al-Shuraim 1991–2022 Imam and khatib of the Masjid al-Haram for about three decades. Khalid Al-Ghamdi 2008-2018 Former Imam for about 10 yearsResigned in end of September 2018. Saleh al-Talib 2002–2018 Served until 2018, when he was dismissed and detained for ten years following criticism of social changes. Salah Ba'uthman 2016–2017(Guest imam) Guest imam for Tarawih prayers during Ramadan in 2016 and 2017. Hassan Bukhari 2015(Guest imam) Guest imam for Tarawih prayers during Ramadan in 2015.Mohammad al-Subayyil 1965–2008 Also directed the Presidency for the General Presidency of Haramain. Adil al-Kalbani 2008(Guest imam) Appointed to lead Tarawih prayers at the Haram. Salah Al Budair 2005–2006(Guest imam) Led Tarawih in Ramadan 2005 and 2006; now Deputy Chief Imam of The Prophet's Mosque. 'Ali al-Hudhaify 1981, 1985–1986, 1988–1991(Guest imam) Guest Imam for Ramadhan during the 1980s–1991; now Chief Imam of The Prophet's Mosque.Umar al-Subayyil 1993–2002 Imam and khatib of the Haram until his death in 2002. Ali Abdullah Jaber 1981–1983
1986–1989 Noted for his Qur’an recitation style; appointed to Masjid al-Haram by King Khalid.Abdullah Al-Khulaifi 1946–1993 Saudi imam who led prayers at the Masjid al-Haram for four decades in the 20th century.Abdullah Abdul Ghani Khayat 1953–1984 Led prayers during the mid-20th century; member of Council of Senior Scholars.Abdullah ibn Humaid 1957–1981 Jurist and imam of the Haram; later served as head of the Saudi Supreme Judicial Council. Died October 1982.Ahmad Khatib al-Minangkabawi 1880–1915 Indonesian scholar who held the position of imam and teacher at Masjid al-Haram under Ottoman rule.
Former Imams of Prophet's Mosque This list includes former Imams of Prophet's Mosque who were either officially appointed as full-time Imams or served as guest Imams during Ramadan only:
NameServedNotesMuhammad Ayyub1990–1997; 2015later served at Masjid Quba and returned as a guest Tarawih imam in 2015.Mahmoud Khalil Al-Qari2017, 2018 Guest ImamImam of Masjid al-Qiblatayn; son of Khalil Al-Qari.Muhammad Khalil al-Qari2016, 2018 Guest ImamImam of Quba Mosque; son of Khalil Al-Qari.Abdullah Awad Al Juhany1999–2007Now appointed as an imam of Masjid al-Haram. Sheikh Dr. Khalid Al-Ghamdi 2012-2013(Guest imam) Guest imam for Tarawih prayers during Ramadan in 2012 and 2013Ibrahim Al-Akhdar1986–1995Served as an imam of Al-Masjid an-Nabawi for roughly nine years beginning in 1986; active in Qur'an teaching and recitation activities. Saad al-Ghamdi2009 Guest imamGuest imam for Taraweeh prayers at Al-Masjid an-Nabawi in Ramadan 2009.Abdul Majeed al-Jabarti1970s–1980sHe also served as a member of the Council of Senior Scholars and the Supreme Judicial Council, and was the maternal grandfather of Ahmad Talib Hameed.Abdul Aziz Al Saleh1951–1993also served as head of the courts of the Madinah region and was a member of Supreme Judicial Council and Council of Senior Scholars.Ahmad Talib Hameed2013–2025In May 2025, reports noted that his name was no longer included among the imams however General Presidency of the Haramain did not provide an official Statement.
Abdullah bin Zahim Ali Al Sudais Maher Al Muaiqly Khalid Ghamdi
See also
List of Muezzins of the Two Holy Mosques List of Sahabah List of burials at Jannat al-Baqī
References