In a recent development, Sheikh Yasir Ad Dawsary, the esteemed Imam and Khateeb of Masjid Al Haram, has been excused from his position following the conclusion of his 4-year contract with the General Presidency.
Sheikh Yasir Ad Dawsary was initially appointed as a guest Imam for Taraweeh Prayers at Masjid Al Haram in 2015. His position was annually renewed until 2019, when he was officially designated as the permanent Imam by royal decree.
As per the bylaws established in 2019 by the Council of Ministers, governing the appointments and dismissal of Imams, they enter into a 4-year contract with the General Presidency for the Religious Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques. These contracts are subject to renewal after the completion of the agreed tenure.
Sheikh Yasir Ad Dawsary, along with at least two other Imams, did not have their contracts renewed after their 4-year tenures came to an end. It's important to note that there might be a possibility of renewal in the future, although no official confirmation has been provided by the General Presidency.
This transition marks a change in leadership at Masjid Al Haram, highlighting the institutional procedures and policies that govern the appointments of revered figures in one of Islam's holiest places of worship. The General Presidency, as usual, has maintained its silence on the matter, a practice consistent with their past approach regarding the dismissal of Imams.