Makkah: During a Friday prayer at the holy Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, a significant incident occurred that momentarily disrupted the solemn proceedings. Maher al-Muaiqly, a distinguished and well-respected imam renowned for leading prayers at the Grand Mosque, experienced an unexpected health setback, prompting him to yield his place and allow another imam to take over.
The incident unfolded in a dramatic manner as al-Muaiqly, in the midst of reciting sacred verses from the Quran, found his usually steady voice faltering and eventually coming to a halt. This unexpected turn of events was witnessed by a live national television audience, which added to the gravity of the situation.
Within a brief period of approximately 10 seconds, a moment of silence descended upon the congregation. In that fleeting time, Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, the eminent leading imam of the Grand Mosque, seamlessly stepped forward to continue the prayer on behalf of his ailing colleague. It was a testament to the unity and cooperation among the clergy, even in the face of unforeseen challenges.
The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque swiftly issued a statement clarifying the situation. They attributed al-Muaiqly’s inability to carry on with the prayer to “fatigue and exhaustion,” reassuring the public that his condition had improved, and he was on the path to recovery.
Reports from the online news outlet Sabq shed light on the possible cause of al-Muaiqly’s health episode. It was suggested that his blood pressure had dropped during the prayer session, which had taken place in the sweltering heat of Makkah, with temperatures soaring to a scorching 44 degrees Celsius.
Maher al-Muaiqly, who originally hails from Madina, has earned international acclaim for his mastery in reciting the Quran. At 54 years old, he has been serving as an imam at the Grand Mosque since 2007, leading worshipers during the sacred nights of Ramadan and delivering sermons on Fridays, the most revered day of the week for Muslims.
