New Imams named for Islam’s holiest mosques

King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz on October 3 confirmed the appointment of four Sheikhs as permanent Imams of Masjid al-Haram (Makkah) and Masjid al-Nabawi (Madinah).

Sheikh Badr bin Muhammad Al Turki and Sheikh Waleed Khaleed Ibrahim al-Shamshaan were appointed permanent Imams of Masjid al-Haram while Sheikh Abdullah al-Qurafi and Sheikh Muhammad Barhaji were appointed permanent Imams of Masjid al-Nabawi.

Their appointment came seven months after their temporary appointment as guest Imams to lead Taraweeh prayers at the two holy mosques last Ramadhan.

Makkah’s new Imams

Before his appointment, Sheikh Badr al-Turki was serving as Imam of Prince Bandar bin Al-Aziiz mosque in Riyadh, his hometown.

Sheikh Waleed al-Shamsan, 50, previously served as Imam of Masjid Qubah near Madinah. He is also listed among the lecturers of the Islamic University of Madinah in the College of the Qur’an, qira’at (recitation) department.

He holds a PhD in comparative jurisprudence from Umm al-Qura University, Makkah.