# Shaykh Abdul Wali al-Arkani (Born 1983)

> Qari and imam in Saudi Arabia · Mecca, Saudi Arabia

- Also known as: Abu Muʿāḍ
- Known for: Qari and imam in Saudi Arabia
- Born: 1983, Mislafah, Mecca
- Place: Mecca, Saudi Arabia
- Fields: Religion
- Page: https://people.rohingya.ro/people/abdul-wali-al-arkani/

## Summary

A Rohingya Qari and imam, born in Mecca in 1983 to a family of Rohingya origin from Arakan, whose distinctive, melodious Quran recitations are broadcast on Arab channels in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain. A graduate of the Al-Arqam Ibn Abu Al-Arqam Institute at Masjid al-Haram, he served in various Mecca mosques before becoming imam of Khādim al-Haramayn ash-Sharifayn in Jeddah, and has been invited to lead prayers alongside reciters such as Mishary Rashid al-Afasy in Ajman, UAE.

## What he did

- **1983** — Born in Mislafah, Mecca, to a family of Rohingya origin from Arakan (Rakhine State, Myanmar).
- **Childhood** — Memorized the Quran early, guided by his father and other teachers.
- **Age 13** — Took his first post as an imam, at the mosque of Shaykh Muhammad Saleh Jamal in Mecca.
- **Age 14** — Began formal recitation studies, under scholars including Shaykh Harun Dahir, the late Shaykh Muhammad Kabir and Shaykh Muhammad Idriss Abbass.
- **1997** — Graduated from the Al-Arqam Ibn Abu Al-Arqam Institute at Masjid al-Haram.
- **Jeddah** — After serving in various Mecca mosques, became imam of Khādim al-Haramayn ash-Sharifayn in Jeddah, preaching and reciting Taraweeh and the regular prayers.
- **Ajman** — Officially invited to lead prayers alongside reciters such as Mishary Rashid al-Afasy in Ajman, UAE.
- **Broadcasts** — His recitations are recorded and broadcast on Arab channels in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, and are available on platforms such as Assabile.com and Quran Central.

## Biography: A melodious Rohingya voice from Mecca

Shaykh Abdul Wali al‑Arkani, also called Abu Muʿāḍ, was born in 1983 in Mislafah, Mecca, to a Rohingya-origin family from Arakan (Rakhine State, Myanmar). He memorized the Quran early, guided by his father and other teachers, beginning formal recitation studies at age 14, particularly under notable scholars including Shaykh Harun Dahir, the late Shaykh Muhammad Kabir, and Shaykh Muhammad Idriss Abbass.

He joined the Al-Arqam Ibn Abu Al-Arqam Institute at Masjid al‑Haram and graduated in 1997. His first imamate role was at age 13 in Mecca at the mosque of Shaykh Muhammad Saleh Jamal. After serving in various Mecca mosques, he became Imam of Khādim al-Haramayn ash-Sharifayn in Jeddah, preaching and reciting Taraweeh and regular prayers.

He has been officially invited to lead prayers alongside esteemed reciters such as Mishary Rashid al-Afasy in Ajman, UAE, an honor reflecting his rising reputation. His distinctive, melodious Quran recitations are recorded and broadcast across major Arab channels in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Bahrain, and are available on platforms like Assabile.com and Quran Central.

## Photographs

- ![Photograph of Shaykh Abdul Wali al-Arkani](https://people.rohingya.ro/photos/abdul-wali-al-arkani-2.webp) (Assabile (assabile.com))

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From Rohingya Famous People, https://people.rohingya.ro/people/abdul-wali-al-arkani/ (updated 2026-11-04)