Makkah Imam Sheikh Sudais Prays For The Victory Of Palestinians, Protection Of Al-Aqsa

Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Sudais, the renowned Quran reciter and one of the eight Imams of  Masjid al-Haram, the holiest Mosque in Makkah, yesterday made an emotional prayer for the grieving Palestinian people in Gaza. Marking the holy month of Ramadan, the Makkah Imam supplicated to almighty Allah to grant victory to the Palestinian people.

Shaikh Sudais began his speech by praying for the violence-hit Muslims across the world and then specifically supplicated to almighty to feed and shelter the devastated Palestinians caused by the continued atrocities of Israel. He also asked for the protection of Al-Aqsa Masjid, one of the three holiest masjids in the world, from the aggressors. He ended the emotional prayer by asking the Almighty to punish the perpetrators of the war in Palestine.

The prayer asking for the victory of the Palestinian people has significant political implications given the perspective the Arab countries have been taking towards the ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza.  In November last year, Shaikh Sudais hailed the Arab-Islamic summit headed by Saudi Arabia, noting that the summit’s statement aligned with the historical positions of the Kingdom in supporting Palestinian people in the hardship they face. He had also prayed for the victory of the Palestinian people.

The leaders from the Islamic world have been several times sit together to condemn the ongoing war. However, the leaders are facing criticism for not taking any concrete steps to end the war or mitigate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

Before the ongoing war, Sheikh Sudais had advocated for the normalisation of ties with Israel, which invited strong criticisms against him. He had pointed out how prophet Muhammad treated Jewish neighbours, noting the respect they maintained. He had made strong remarks against increasing Israeli settlement in Palestine, severely criticising the Jewish state against the “illegal occupation.””

Mr Sudais is also the president of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques of Islam; Al-Haram Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina

Oh Allah! Grant victory to our brothers in Palestine!

Emotional Dua by President Sheikh Sudais in Masjid Al Haram pic.twitter.com/PXXlCrctom

— Inside the Haramain (@insharifain) March 17, 2024