The Two Holy Mosques — Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina — are led in prayer by a roster of appointed imams who are among the most recognised Quran reciters in the world. As of 2026 the best known include Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais, the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque, alongside Maher Al-Muaiqly, Yasser Al-Dosari and others. The appointments are made by the Saudi authorities and change over time.
Because their prayers are broadcast worldwide — every night in Ramadan and across the days of Hajj — these are the voices most Muslims have heard the most, even if they cannot always put a name to one. This guide explains what the role involves and introduces the prominent current imams of each mosque.
What being a Haramain imam means
An imam of the Two Holy Mosques leads the five daily prayers, the Friday (Jumu’ah) prayer and sermon, the Ramadan taraweeh and tahajjud prayers, and the prayers of the Hajj season. It is one of the most prestigious religious appointments in the Muslim world, made through the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. Each mosque has several imams who share the prayer schedule, so on any given night the voice you hear depends on who is leading.
The role is not only about a beautiful voice. An imam-khatib must be a strong memoriser, precise in tajwīd, and able to lead enormous congregations — hundreds of thousands of people in Ramadan — with composure. The reciters who reach this position are, almost by definition, at the top of their craft.
Imams of Masjid al-Haram (the Grand Mosque, Mecca)
The Grand Mosque in Mecca, which surrounds the Kaaba, is served by several imams. Among the most prominent as of 2026:
- Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais — the Chief Imam, and also President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. His deep, tajwīd-precise voice has been broadcast from the Grand Mosque since the 1980s. Read his full profile.
- Maher Al-Muaiqly — known for an emotional, deep-voiced recitation that is a favourite in Ramadan broadcasts.
- Yasser Al-Dosari — one of the more recent voices of the Grand Mosque, with a fast-rising following, especially online.
- Bandar Baleela — recognised for a distinctive, faster-paced style.
- Abdullah Al-Juhani — a deep, measured voice long associated with the Haramain.
Imams of Masjid al-Nabawi (the Prophet’s Mosque, Medina)
The Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, the second holiest site in Islam, has its own imams. Prominent voices as of 2026 include:
- Ali Al-Hudhaify — a long-serving chief imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, known for a soft, precise, tajwīd-focused recitation.
- Salah Al-Budair — an imam of the Prophet’s Mosque, recognised for a soft, measured voice.
The legends who came before
The current roster stands on the shoulders of earlier Haramain imams whose recordings are still played constantly. Most notably, Saud Al-Shuraim served for decades as an imam of the Grand Mosque before retiring in 2022; his distinctive deep voice, often paired with Al-Sudais in famous Ramadan recordings, remains among the most listened-to recitation anywhere. Generations of imams before him shaped the sound of the Haramain that the world knows today.
For most Muslims, the sound of the Grand Mosque in Ramadan is the sound of the Quran itself. That sound is these voices.
One note on completeness: both mosques have more imams than any single list captures, and appointments are updated from time to time by the Saudi authorities. The names above are among the most prominent and widely heard as of 2026, not an exhaustive roster.
Hearing — and identifying — the Haramain voices
Because these imams share a schedule and a broadly similar Saudi murattal style, telling them apart by ear takes practice. Al-Sudais’s deep gravity, Al-Muaiqly’s emotional swells and Al-Dosari’s brighter, modern line are distinct once you know them — the kind of cues our guide on how to identify a reciter by voice helps you learn.
If you hear a recitation from the Haramain — a Ramadan livestream, a clip a friend sent, taraweeh at your local masjid streaming Mecca — and are not sure who is leading, RecitID can name the reciter from a few seconds of audio, along with the exact surah and verse. You can also browse voices on the reciters page and see our ranked pick of the best reciters.
Frequently asked
Who is the Chief Imam of the Grand Mosque in Mecca?
As of 2026, Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais is the Chief Imam of Masjid al-Haram, a role he has held for decades. He is also President of the General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques.
How many imams does the Grand Mosque have?
Several imams share the prayer schedule at Masjid al-Haram, and the roster is updated by the Saudi authorities over time, so an exact count changes. The most prominent current voices include Al-Sudais, Al-Muaiqly, Al-Dosari, Baleela and Al-Juhani.
Are the imams of Mecca and Medina different people?
Yes. Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina each have their own separate roster of appointed imams. A few reciters have served at both over their careers, but the two mosques are led independently.
How can I find out which Haramain imam I am listening to?
Open RecitID, play the recitation, and tap Detect. It matches the audio and, when it recognises the voice, names the reciter — useful when several Haramain imams share a similar style.
Curious who is reciting the next time you tune in to Mecca or Medina? Download RecitID for iOS and Android and find out in seconds.