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Glam Halal | July-august. 2020
BY Camilia Rezali
The pages of our childhood story may
word differently from others. One
account may start with a struggle
then turn into a success story while
another would be a lucky one living
life like in a box of chocolates;
everything sweet with the hope it would be
a little bit different.
But like every story has an inspiration
(a person we aspire to be), so does Ustazah
Sharifah Khasif’s.
Sharifah Khasif Fadzilah Syed Mohd Badiuzzaman
Al Yahya is known for her talent in
reciting the Qur’an. Life as a young Sharifah
was mostly spent on reciting the Qur’an. She
grew up learning the art of tilawah and tajweed
from her late father, who was of Yemeni
heritage and a well-known Qari in Ipoh.
“He is the reason that I am who I am now,”
Sharifah told @glamhalal.
At one point when she was young, Sharifah
didn’t have the freedom and play with other
kids her age. Not even on Sundays.
She desperately wanted things to be
different.
Nevertheless, she soon realised the strong
courage her late father put up in raising two
sons and only daughter. They became professionals
in the field of Qur’an. Sharifah once
entered a Qur’an recital competition which
My Father,
My Inspiration
Sharifah Khasif sees her father as an inspiration
and names him for her every success
led to the first prize that flew her and her
family to Makkah for Haj.
She felt grateful ever since. Sharifah
described her late father as wise, kind, openminded
and even humorous at times. He also
spoke eight languages.
“My late dad (Waleed) is the most inspirational
person. He taught me to be comfortable
with whom I am as a Qariah, and always to
be able to help people to understand the Al
Quran,” said Sharifah.
Talents turned into
career opportunities
Sharifah’s career started with a three-year