The Complex Public Legacy of the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Abdul-Rahman Al-Sudais is a globally recognized Quranic reciter and the influential leader overseeing the Two Holy Mosques. While he has frequently championed inter-faith dialogue and moderate Islamic teachings, his career is marked by sharp contradictions, including inflammatory rhetoric against non-Muslims that has drawn international condemnation and travel restrictions.

Born in Riyadh and a memorizer of the Quran by age 12, Al-Sudais rose to prominence in 1984 when he became an imam at the Grand Mosque at just 22 years old. His academic background is rooted in Sharia, with degrees from Riyadh University and a Ph.D. from Umm al-Qura University. By 2012, he was appointed by royal decree to lead the government body responsible for the Two Holy Mosques, a position equivalent to a minister.

Al-Sudais occupies a paradoxical space in global discourse. He has consistently preached against terrorism and extremism, advocating for peaceful conflict resolution in regions like Palestine, Somalia, and Kashmir. In 2005, he was named the Islamic Personality of the Year by the Dubai International Holy Quran Award for his devotion to the faith. Yet, he has faced severe backlash for past sermons—particularly in 2002 and 2007—where he used dehumanizing language toward Jews. These remarks led to his inclusion on an ISIS death list, but also resulted in him being barred from conferences in the United States and denied entry to Canada.

The discrepancy between his messages to Western audiences and his domestic sermons has been a point of intense scrutiny. Critics, including the BBC’s Panorama program in 2005, highlighted his use of derogatory labels for Christians and Hindus. While some supporters, such as British MP Tony Baldry, have praised him as a voice for moderation, others point to his 2015 audio recording calling for a sectarian war against Shia Muslims as evidence of a more divisive agenda. Recently, in 2020, he shifted his tone again, publicly advocating for kind treatment of Jewish neighbors, a move that coincided with shifting regional political alliances.

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