Young Quran reciter from Dhi Qar gains international acclaim

DHI QAR — Abbas Riyad, 22, from Suq al-Shiouk in Iraq’s Dhi Qar governorate, has emerged as one of the country’s rising Quran reciters, earning recognition abroad for a style inspired by Egypt’s late Sheikh Abdul Basit Abd al-Samad, one of the Arab world’s most revered voices of Quranic recitation.

Riyad began reciting at age 6 with the support of his parents and training from local teachers in maqamat, the traditional melodic modes, and tajwid, the rules of proper pronunciation. He went on to win local and national competitions before taking first place at the international “Best Voices” contest in Saudi Arabia in 2023.

“I began my journey with the Holy Quran when I was six years old, and I will never forget the continuous encouragement of my father and mother to recite and listen to Sheikh Abdul Basit Abd al-Samad,” Riyad told 964media. “My father was my greatest supporter. He always encouraged me to continue reciting the Quran and to follow Sheikh Abdul Basit. I consider myself a drop in the ocean of this great sheikh, and I can never compare to him. What I offer is only an attempt to imitate his voice and style.”

Abdul Basit, whose recordings remain popular decades after his death, is celebrated for his mastery of recitation, particularly during Ramadan. Riyad said that while he has listened to other accomplished reciters, Abdul Basit’s voice was the only one that captivated him. “Perhaps I could imitate any other reciter if I listened to him, but I chose to remain tied only to Sheikh Abdul Basit because he is the only one I am drawn to. I see this similarity as a heavy responsibility, but there is no comparison. He is the original, and I am only an imitator of his voice.”

Riyad credited his teacher, Mohammed Abdul Rahim, director of the Quran and Ahl al-Bayt Center in Suq al-Shiouk, with helping him refine his skills. “He made a great effort in training me,” he said.

“I participated in many competitions in Suq al-Shiouk, Dhi Qar, and Baghdad, and in most of them I won first place for imitating Sheikh Abdul Basit, until I took part in the international ‘Best Voices’ competition in Saudi Arabia, where I won first place,” Riyad said.