The Islamic world mourns the passing of Sheikh Faisal Nouman, the esteemed muezzin of Masjid An-Nabawi (The Prophet’s Mosque) in Medina, who concluded his 25-year tenure of calling worshippers to prayer. The revered voice behind the adhan (Islamic call to prayer) breathed his last on December 23, 2025, leaving behind a legacy spanning multiple generations of religious service.
Sheikh Nouman, originally appointed in 2001, was laid to rest at Medina’s historic Al-Baqi Cemetery—the oldest Islamic burial ground and final resting place for numerous early Muslims including Prophet Muhammad’s family members and companions. The mosque administration commemorated his dedication by sharing his final adhan from November 2, 2025, capturing his last sacred invocation.
The late muezzin belonged to an extraordinary family tradition of religious service. His grandfather previously served as a muezzin at the same mosque, while his father remarkably assumed the role at age 14 and continued for decades until passing away in his nineties. This multi-generational commitment to sacred vocal ministry represents a rare continuum in Islamic religious practice.
The passing of Sheikh Nouman follows another significant religious transition in Saudi Arabia this year, with the appointment of Sheikh Dr. Saleh bin Fawzan bin Abdullah Al-Fawzan as the new Grand Mufti following the demise of the previous religious leader. These changes mark a period of transition within Saudi Arabia’s religious leadership while highlighting the enduring cultural and spiritual significance of traditional roles in Islamic worship.
The shared recording of Sheikh Nouman’s final adhan has circulated widely across social media platforms, drawing global condolences from the Muslim community and honoring a voice that guided millions in daily prayer for a quarter century.