Saudi Arabia Appoints Saleh Al-Maghamsi as Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque

Sheikh Saleh Al-Maghamsi in a photo published by Arrajol magazine during a previous interview (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Sheikh Saleh Al-Maghamsi in a photo published by Arrajol magazine during a previous interview (Asharq Al-Awsat).
TT

Saudi Arabia Appoints Saleh Al-Maghamsi as Imam of the Prophet’s Mosque

Sheikh Saleh Al-Maghamsi in a photo published by Arrajol magazine during a previous interview (Asharq Al-Awsat).
Sheikh Saleh Al-Maghamsi in a photo published by Arrajol magazine during a previous interview (Asharq Al-Awsat).

A royal decree has appointed Sheikh Saleh Al-Maghamsi as an imam at the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, head of religious affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, said Saturday that the directive reflects the Saudi leadership’s strong commitment to the Two Holy Mosques and its ongoing support through the appointment of qualified scholars.

He added that such decisions strengthen the mosques’ mission of promoting guidance and moderation, while serving worshippers and visitors.

Al-Sudais congratulated Sheikh Al-Maghamsi on the appointment, praying for his success in carrying out what he described as a great responsibility in line with the aspirations of the Kingdom’s leadership and the message of the Prophet’s Mosque.

Al-Maghamsi is a prominent Saudi preacher known for his contemporary approach and broad engagement in education, sermons and religious lectures. In recent years, he served as imam and preacher of Quba Mosque in Madinah.

He has also lectured at the Higher Institute for Imams and Preachers at Taibah University and headed the Al-Bayan Center for Reflecting on the Meanings of the Quran. Over the course of his career, he has held several academic and administrative posts and is widely regarded for his humility and scholarly depth.

Born in 1963 in Wadi Al-Safra village in Badr Governorate, west of Madinah, Al-Maghamsi later moved to Madinah, where he was raised in a scholarly environment. He specialized in Quranic exegesis during his academic studies.

He completed his primary, intermediate and secondary education in Madinah before earning a bachelor’s degree in Arabic language and Islamic studies from King Abdulaziz University (Madinah branch). He later pursued postgraduate studies.

Al-Maghamsi began his professional career as a teacher before moving into educational supervision and academic instruction. He became a faculty member at the Teachers College — now the College of Education at Taibah University — and went on to serve in several key roles, most notably as imam and preacher of Quba Mosque in Madinah.

He has delivered numerous lectures in Quranic interpretation and Islamic sciences, and has produced widely known recorded programs and scholarly series.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
TT

Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.


Saudi Defenses Intercept and Destroy Cruise Missile

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
TT

Saudi Defenses Intercept and Destroy Cruise Missile

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Malki said on Sunday that the Kingdom's defenses shot down a cruise missile in recent hours.

The interception process was successful, he added.

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats to ensure the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its territories.