The Ghanaian Minaret

Makkah – Sheikh Saud bin Ibrahim bin Muhammad Ibrahim Al Shuraim, an Imam, and Khateeb of Masjid Al Haram has resigned from his role after 32 years of service.

According to local media, he decided not to renew his 4 year contract with the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques in December last year citing personal reasons.

The cleric may, however, return temporarily to lead tarawih during the upcoming month of Ramadhan.

“It is pertinent to mention that the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has not released an official statement confirming the resignation however the Presidency has not commented or confirmed previous resignations in the past,” Haramain Sharifain, a media outlet noted.

Sheikh Saud al Shuraim, born on October 15, 1966, in Riyadh, the Capital of Saudi Arabia was appointed as the Imam of Masjid Al Haram, Makkah on February 07, 1992.

Education

Sheikh Saud completed his elementary education at Areen School, continued at the Model School, and graduated from Yarmuk Shamilah School with a diploma in 1404 AH (1984 CE).

He pursued higher education at the University of Muhammad Bin Saud, earning a degree in Contemporary Creed and Doctrines in 1409 AH (1989 CE).

In 1410 AH (1990 CE), he enrolled at the Higher Institute of Judiciary and obtained his Master’s degree in 1412 AH (1992 CE).

Sheikh Saud earned his PhD with distinction from Umm Al-Quraa University in 1416 AH (1996 CE).

In 1430 AH (2009 CE), he was appointed Chair of Comparative Jurisprudence.

Work Experience

Before his formal appointments, Sheikh Saud was a prominent Imam in Riyadh.

In 1412 AH (1992 CE), he was appointed by King Fahd as Imam and Khateeb of Masjid Al Haram.

He was selected as a judge on Makkah’s Supreme Court in 1413 AH (1993 CE) but departed from the judiciary in 1416 AH (1996 CE) at his own request.

Sheikh Saud began teaching at Masjid Al Haram in 1414 AH (1994 CE).

In 1419 AH (1999 CE), he was hired as a lecturer in the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at Umm Al-Quraa University and was later promoted to assistant professor.

At Umm Al-Quraa University, he held several positions, including Dean of the College of Sharia and Islamic Studies and Dean of the College of Judicial Studies and Regulations until 1441 AH (2020 CE).

Sheikh Saud received mentorship from renowned scholars such as Sheikh bin Baaz, Sheikh Ibn Jibreen, Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz bin Aqeel, Sheikh Abdullah bin Abdulrahman Al Ghadyaan, Sheikh Saleh Al Fawzaan, and Sheikh Fahad Al Hassan.