An Imam and Khateeb of Makkah Grand Mosque, Sheikh Saud bin Ibrahim Shuraim, has resigned..
This was revealed by a quasi official online media outlet of the kingdom, www.haramainsharifain.com on Friday, February 10.
It was not clear why the scholar resigned after serving for over 30 years. It was also not clear at as press time whether her was actually fired.
Haramain Sharifain said the Imam excused to re-new his contract with the General Presidency in latter months of 2022 citing personal reasons.
The Imam can however return in a temporary role to lead Taraweeh Prayers which will be confirmed in due course ahead of Ramadan.
Inside the Haramain earlier reported that a prominent Imam had resigned.
Well placed sources have informed Inside the Haramain that the Imam can renew his contract and come back at his discretion.
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.
In April 2018, the Saud Arabian authorities closed the Twitter account of Sheikh Saud Al-Shuraim, AlKhaleej Online has reported.
Middle East Monitor reported that Al-Shuraim had posted comments about political and social issues in the Kingdom and criticised what he believes are violations of Islamic teachings.
The Imam was born in Riyadh in 1964. He has held several senior academic positions, including the Dean and Specialist Professor at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah. He is also a judge at the High Court in the Holy City.
His fellow Imam at the Grand Mosque, which houses the Sacred Kaaba, is Sheikh Abdul Rahman As-Sudais, who is loyal to the policies of the Saudi royal family. While Al-Shuraim has been praised by Muslims within and beyond the Kingdom over his courageous stances, Al-Sudais has been criticised for his “blind” support for the ruling House of Saud, which is regarded by many as irreligious.
