This year, one of the most important religious addresses in the world will be delivered by a highly respected Islamic scholar from the heart of Arafat.
The General Presidency for the Affairs of the Two Holy Mosques has announced that Sheikh Dr. Ali bin Abdurrahman Al-Hudhaifi, Imam and Khatib of the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, has been chosen to deliver the Arafah Day sermon for the Hajj season 1447 AH.
Sheikh Al-Hudhaify will deliver the central Hajj sermon on Tuesday, 26 May, corresponding to 9 Dhul-Hijjah 1447 AH, during the Day of Arafah, considered the most significant ritual of the annual pilgrimage.
Besides delivering the Khutba, Sheikh Al-Hudhaify will also lead the combined Dhuhr and Asr prayers at Masjid Al-Namirah on the plains of Mount Arafat. The Arafat sermon is an important Sunnah of Hajj that follows the example of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), reminding pilgrims of the significance of the day, the importance of seeking forgiveness, and the mercy associated with Arafah.
This year’s sermon will be available in more than 30 languages, with QR codes offering easy access to both textual and audio translations, allowing pilgrims and Muslims everywhere to follow along in their native language.
The Arafah sermon is one of the most watched and listened-to religious addresses in the world, broadcast live to billions of Muslims across the globe.
As for the scholar himself, Sheikh Ali Hudhaify was born on 22 May 1947 in Makkah Province, Saudi Arabia. He earned a Bachelor of Laws degree from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in 1972, followed by a master’s degree and doctorate in Islamic law from Al-Azhar University in 1975, and has served as Imam at Masjid an-Nabawi since 1979.
