FaceOf: Dr. Hussein bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, imam at Prophet’s Mosque and high court judge

Dr. Hussein bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh has spent more than two decades leading prayers at the Prophet's Mosque.
Updated 20 August 2018
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FaceOf: Dr. Hussein bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, imam at Prophet’s Mosque and high court judge

Dr. Hussein bin Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh is a respected imam and sermon performer at the Prophet’s Mosque, as well as a judge at the High Court in Madinah.

A royal recommendation by King Salman made Al-Asheikh the official sermon deliverer on the day of Arafat, 9 of Dul Hijjah. He will give this year’s sermon at Al-Nimra Mosque, one of the holy sites in Arafat, as well as leading Dhur and Asr prayers.

Last year, the Arafat sermon and prayers were performed by Sheikh Dr. Saad Shafaee Al-Shetri. In 2016, Sheikh Dr. Abdurrahman Al-Sudais, chief of the Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques, led the prayers.

Born in Bani Tamim in southern Saudi Arabia, Al-Asheikh pursued his scholarly career in Riyadh. He received his bachelor’s degree from Shariah College in Riyadh, and then joined the Higher Judicial Institute, receiving a master’s degree before pursuing a doctorate.

Al-Asheikh studied under great Islamic scholars, getting appointed as a magistrate in 1985. Five years later, he became a judge in the Great Court of Najran. He was transferred a year later to the Grand Court in Riyadh, where he stayed for many years before he joined the Grand Court in Madinah in 1997, receiving the royal decree that appointed him as an imam at the Prophet’s Mosque.

He has been leading prayers at the Prophet’s Mosque for more than two decades, while lecturing at the University of Madinah.

He has delivered many scientific lectures in jurisprudence, Tawheed, Hadith and grammar, in addition to some lectures at places such as the Great Mosque in Riyadh.


Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions

Camels are not only a vital livestock resource in Najran, but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition. (SPA)
Updated 25 December 2025
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Najran’s camels are embedded in local culture and traditions

  • Several distinct camel breeds are found in the region
  • Animals permeate Arab consciousness, says expert

RIYADH: In Najran, camels are not only a vital livestock resource but also a cornerstone of local identity and tradition.

According to Hadi Benyan Al-Amer, head of Najran’s Camel Association, the region has several distinct camel breeds.

Principal among them is the Awarik, an ancient Arabian lineage linked to territories where arak trees flourish, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

These light-colored, sparsely-haired camels possess remarkable resilience, and are prevalent across southern Arabia.

The Majahim are characterized by dark hues spanning black to brown, and excel in both milk yield and endurance.

The Asayil are prized for their sleek, lean physiques, and dominate in speed-based competitions.

Al-Amer said traditional water sources known as Odood, or traditional water wells and artesian wells, have sustained herders navigating the Empty Quarter’s grazing lands for generations.

These permanent water points, equipped with dedicated drinking basins for camels, showcase the animals’ extraordinary environmental resilience.

Among the principal wells accessible from Najran are Al-Minkhali, Abu Shadid, Hamra Nathil, Tamani, Umm Al-Wahat, and Khujaima.

Countless additional wells dot the Empty Quarter and adjacent territories, forming the backbone of camel owners’ far-reaching pastoral networks.

Dr. Hind bint Dawood Al-Shuqair of Najran University’s Arabic Language Department explained how camels have permeated Arab consciousness through legends and stories spanning thousands of years.

Representing endurance, power, and grace, they have become inseparable from Arab cultural identity.

Archaeological evidence at Al-Ukhdood, Mount Al-Tharwa and Hima, preserves through carvings and ancient artwork the deep bond between people and camels, Al-Shuqair said.

She drew attention to Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment in camel heritage, exemplified by proclaiming 2024 as the Year of the Camel.

This designation emphasizes their importance to national prosperity and cultural heritage while backing global initiatives to promote awareness of camels as valuable economic and cultural assets.

The Kingdom further demonstrates its commitment to protecting the animals through the annual King Abdulaziz Festival, the SPA reported.