Riyadh: Saudi authorities have released Sheikh Saleh Al-Talib, former imam of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, after he spent more than seven years behind bars. The move follows years of monitoring and criticism from human rights groups.
The advocacy group Prisoners of Conscience confirmed his release, noting that Sheikh Al-Talib remains under house arrest. He has been ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor. His case drew attention internationally as one of the most high-profile arrests of a religious figure in recent years.
Sheikh Al-Talib was detained in August 2018 after a sermon in which he spoke about the Islamic duty to oppose wrongdoing in public. His comments were widely understood as criticism of the General Entertainment Authority, which regulates concerts and mixed-gender events. Authorities never announced formal charges.
In 2022, the Specialised Criminal Appeals Court sentenced him to ten years in prison, overturning an earlier acquittal. His release has sparked strong reactions across social media, where he has a large global following. Millions of people have listened to his Quran recitations and sermons online.
Before his imprisonment, Sheikh Al-Talib also served as a judge in Makkah, Riyadh, and other Saudi regions. Born in 1974, he comes from the Huwtat Bani Taimi family of Hawtat Bani Tamim, known for its contributions to Islamic scholarship and Quranic sciences.
Earlier this year, Saudi teacher Asaad bin Nasser Al-Ghamdi was also released after more than two years in detention for views expressed on X. Since 2017, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s leadership, the Kingdom has faced criticism for detaining scholars, activists, and citizens over dissent and online commentary.
