Sheikh Mishary Bin Rashid Alafasy is a globally well-known Qari (reciter of the Qur’an), imam, daee (preacher), and a Nasheed artist hailing from Kuwait. Shaikh Mishary Alafasy serves as the Imam of the Grand Mosque of Kuwait, also known as Masjid Al-Kabir, where he leads the Tarawih prayers during Ramadan every year. He is employed by the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs in Kuwait.
The Holy Quran was the subject of this Imam’s keen interest and learning and hence, it came as no surprise when he memorized the Book of Allah in a few years itself. Besides his melodious and emotional voice, he has managed to grab the attention of the bigwigs in the field of Islamic knowledge such as Sheikh Ibrahim Ali Shehata Al-Samanodi, the Sheikh Abdur Area Radwan, and also the great sheikh Ahmed Abdulaziz Al-Zaiat.The next step was his decision to pursue his higher education at the Islamic and Quranic university of Madinah, Saudi Arabia.
The two famous links of the recitation of the Quran: TV Alafasy and Alafasy Q are managed by this great Imam and rightfully so. In a similar manner, numerous TV channels and radio stations have taken pride in broadcasting all his highly commendable productions.
Early Years and Education
How old is mishary? Shaikh Mishary Alafasy was born in Kuwait on September 5, 1976. He memorized the Quran between 1992-1994 and became a Hafiz al-Quran. He is an alumnus of the Islamic University of Madinah where he concentrated on the ten authentic recitations of the Quran. He has also received ijazahs from several Quranic scholars including an ijazah in Aasim ibn Abi al-Najud recitation from Sheikh Abdul Rafi bin Radwan Al Sharqawi, among others.
Shaikh Mishary Alafasy often appears on television and radio stations, and his recitations are available on his official YouTube channel, as well as many other channels started by his followers.
Personal Life
Shaikh Mishary Alafasy is married and has two daughters and one son. He is known by the moniker “Abu Rashid” (the father of Rashid).
Nasheed
Sheikh Alafasy has released various nasheed albums, in which he sings in Arabic, English, and French using only his voice without the accompaniment of musical instruments, in adherence to Islamic principles.
Awards and Recognitions
In 1998, Sheikh Alafasy was bestowed with the first “Arab Creativity Oscar” by the Arab Creativity Union in Egypt, sponsored by the General Secretary of the League of Arab States, for his role in promoting Islamic principles and teachings in the world through his preachings and nasheeds, using modern technology.
Sheikh Alafasy was voted as the Best Quran Reciter in the 2012 About.com Readers’ Choice Awards by the readers.