SRINAGAR: A Kashmiri born Qari has been appointed as the Imam of Masjid e Nabvi for leading the Tariwih prayers, this Ramadan. Saudi King and Khadmain Harmain Salman Bin Abdul Aziz made bythe appointment early this month.Qari Sheikh Muhammad bin Khaleel is leading the prayers for the last nearly twoweeks now. He is otherwise the permanent Imam of Masjid-e-Quba in Madina. The process of appointing the prayer-leaders to important mosques in Saudi Arabi is being done through Quraa,the draw of lots.Qari Sheikh Mohammad is the son of respected Qari Khaleel. Khaleel ur Rahman is a celebrated Qur’aan teacher whose students include the likes of Sheikh Muhammad Ayyoub.
Mohammad was born in 1940 in a Pathka village of Muzzafarabad in Pakistan administered Kashmir. He was taught by Sheikh Suleman in Lahore, reports appearing in Pakistani media suggest.The family migrated to Saudi Arabia in 1963 and had teaching assignments in Majid-e-Haram for sometimes. They were later given the responsibility of Majid-e-Quba.Sheikh Muhammad’s sibling, Qari Mahmud, the Imam of Masjid Qiblatain, previously toured South Africa and even led Taraweeh here, reports in Saudi media suggest.Sheikh Muhammad is considered to be having rich silky voice quality. He lives in Madinah.
A Kashmiri appointed as the Imam of Masjid e Nabvi
