Mar 14 β€’ 06:45 UTC πŸ‡ΆπŸ‡¦ Qatar Al Jazeera

75 Years and 30 Ramadans: The Story of a Reciter Traveling Through Sri Lanka with the Quran

A 75-year-old reciter named Sheikh Ahmed Labiy Aliyar travels across Sri Lanka to promote Quranic recitation among the Muslim minority, especially during Ramadan.

Sheikh Ahmed Labiy Aliyar, a pivotal figure in promoting Quranic recitation in Sri Lanka, has dedicated over 30 years to teaching the Quran in a country where Muslims constitute a minority. His efforts began in the 1980s, addressing the challenge of limited access to Islamic knowledge and recitation among the Sri Lankan Muslims, who have been historically isolated from the broader Islamic world. He utilizes the month of Ramadan to foster a communal environment focused on Quranic education and connection.

At 75 years old, Sheikh Aliyar spends the holy nights of Ramadan driving between various villages and towns in Sri Lanka, leading Tarawih prayers and nightly recitations that attract many worshippers who appreciate his compelling voice and devotion. Given the geographic spread of Muslim communities across the country, often far from each other, he recognized the need for greater accessibility to Quranic recitation, leading him to take on the initiative of daily prayers at different mosques, hence connecting and nurturing the spiritual needs of local Muslims.

Overall, Sheikh Aliyar's commitment to sharing the Quran has not only enriched the spiritual life of the local Muslim communities but also plays a crucial role in preserving their cultural and religious practices. His journey exemplifies the intersection of faith, dedication, and community in an increasingly isolated environment, emphasizing the importance of accessible religious leadership during significant times, such as Ramadan.

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