An Egyptian Qari Whose Talent Was Discovered by Christian
The case of Abulianian Shuaisha is one of these examples. Shuaisha was born in Egypt in 1929. He entered the Quran Radio of Egypt at the age of 17. A year later, he joined the Palestinian Radio and performed many attractive recitations there. Unfortunately many of his recorded recitations at the Palestinian Radio were destroyed during World War II.
His recitations in Palestine helped him gain fame all over the Muslim world.
When he returned to Egypt, he was invited to the palace of King Faruq to recite the Quran during the holy month of Ramadan along with other great qaris.
He was also invited to other Islamic countries like Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates for Quran recitation.
He was invited to the UAE for ten years.
According to Shuaisha, he was the first Egyptian qari who officially traveled to other countries for Quran recitation as Egypt’s representative.
Shuaisha was a student of Master Muhammad Rif’at but he developed his own style of recitation and that is why he had a special status in Egypt.
He would always say, “I am a qari (whose talent was) discovered by a Christian. The first person who hear my voice (when reciting the Quran) was a main Christian politician. I will never forget him. He invited me to his house in Girga (a city in Sohag Governorate). He, his children and the city’s people would sit and listen to my recitations”.
Shuaisha travelled to Iran several times and served as a member of panel of judges in a number of international Quran competitions in the country.
The renowned qari died on June 23, 2011, at the age of 89 after battling with an illness for three months.
Following is his recitation of verses from Surah Al-Infitar of the Holy Quran recorded at Cairo’s Imam Hussein (AS) Mosque in 1974.
