The Saudi Arabia Royal Court has approved the re-appointment of Sheikh Abdur-Rahman Ibn Abdul Aziz As-Sudais, Imam and Khateeb of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, as President of the General Presidency for the affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
The re-appointment was contained in a Royal Order issued by the Custodian of The Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz and posted today, Monday on the Haramain Sharifai’s Facebook page.
Muslim News gathered that Sheikh Sudais will serve for another four year term.
Sheikh Al-Sudais has been chief of the Presidency since May 8, 2012, and is also the imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah.
Al-Sudais is a renowned reciter of the holy Qur’an, a member of the Arabic Language Academy in Makkah and was named ninth annual “Islamic Personality Of the Year” by the Dubai International Holy Qur’an Awards (DIHQA) Organizing Committee in 2005.
Al-Sudais attained a degree in Sharia from Riyadh University in 1983, a master’s degree in Islamic Fundamentals from Imam Mohammed bin Saud Islamic University in 1987, and a Ph.D. in Islamic Sharia from Umm Al-Qura University in 1995 while working there as an assistant professor.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques (GPH), is actually a “Ministry”, which manages all the Affairs of the Haramain Sharifain.
Same like other ministries, the Government of Saudi Arabia provides a budget for the GPH and the amount is spend on the Facilities of the Mosques.
The Current Expansion at Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi is also closely monitored by the GPH and the updates are regularly provided to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
For the Security of the Haramain, the Saudi Police, Saudi Army and the GPH work in collaborations. The Members from the Army are only summoned during peak times such as during the month of Rabi Al Awwal, Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah.
The Government has kept the GPH its top priority in its funding, and according to sources, the budget is never calculated and the funds can vary each year.
Many Scholars who work in Masjid Al Haram and Masjid Al Nabawi are also employees of the GPH.
During the Hajj Season, the GPH employs thousands of people and calls for volunteers to make the Hajj season pass smoothly by helping the pilgrims, medically assist them and transport them from origin to destination.
The GPH also holds a Yearly Quran Recitation Competitions where Huffaz and Quran Recitors from all over the world attend. The Competition is held in Masjid Al Haram in Makkah.
