Bangladesh scholar who pioneered Quranic recitation on the international stage

He worked as the first Bengali chief Qari at Karachi Radio in 1960 and recited the Quran during Pakistan's first television broadcast in 1964.

In 1963, he represented Pakistan at the World Quranic Recitation Competition held in Malaysia and won a gold medal. Ahmad described his father as "a pioneer in pure Quranic recitation and Quranic scholarship throughout the South Asian subcontinent."

In 1966, Yousuf joined the Six-Point Demand Movement as an organizer, launching his independence efforts. Though he suffered discriminatory language within Pakistan—called 'Bengal Babu' and 'Indian spy'—Ahmad recalled his father continuing his work, saying, "We really need freedom."

After the independence war broke out, the Pakistani government dismissed Yousuf from his position and issued an arrest warrant. With help from his former Air Force students, he disguised himself and returned to Bangladesh on the last flight out.

After Bangladesh's independence, Yousuf proposed founding the Islamic Foundation, which came to fruition. Ahmad said, "My father had a dream to do Quranic work regardless of who held power."

Under President Ziaur Rahman, student Quranic recitation competitions became regular events, and under President Hussain Muhammad Ershad, military (Army, Navy, and Air Force) Azan and Quranic recitation competitions were introduced. Yousuf worked closely with presidents to establish Islamic culture at the national level.

In 1979, Yousuf became the first Bangladeshi to enter the interior of the Kaaba. At the invitation of the Saudi king, he spent 45 minutes inside the Kaaba, where he offered a heartfelt prayer.

Yousuf's prayer was that his son would become "someone who recites the Quran like Qari Basata." Ahmad conveyed that he directly heard his father's prayer: "O Allah, grant me a son like Qari Basata."

The current Ahmad Bin Yousuf grew up as an answer to that prayer. He followed the path his father dreamed of, studying Quranic scholarship deeply and continuing his father's legacy on the international stage.

From 2002 to 2010, Ahmad studied at Al-Azhar University, deeply researching Quranic phonetics and the seven recitation methods (Qira'at), while also training in vocal and pitch techniques through Arabic music theory and instrumental practice. This centered on understanding why the Quran was revealed in seven 'Harfs' (letters/dialects) in Islamic tradition.

He combined Arabic music theory with vocal and pitch training through instrumental practice. Through this, he acquired both the phonetic precision and religious context of Quranic recitation.

To obtain his teacher's recorded tapes, Ahmad commuted daily 175 kilometers from Cairo, using four different modes of transportation, studying and practicing from dawn until night without eating properly. He also traveled to historical sites, purchasing blank tapes to record them directly.

Without proper meals, he survived on one meal a day or sometimes only water for two to three days. He left after dawn prayers and returned to his lodging late at night. All this dedication stemmed from the urgency of living up to his father's expectations.

He recalled, "My concentration on studying came from the thought that I should not betray my father's expectations and the trust he placed in me by sending me."

They had no children, and during financially difficult times, they provided him with monthly living expenses and remembered him on holidays.

Ahmad said, "Though we had no blood relation, this elderly couple protected this foreign student who came from afar," and expressed that he has not forgotten their kindness, though they have passed away.

He said he hopes the couple will be blessed by his Quranic recitation even in their graves, and emphasized that such relationships are "spiritual bonds deeper than blood ties."

Ahmad appeared on broadcasts wearing modern suits rather than traditional religious attire. This was an intentional strategy to reduce religious resistance and draw public interest in the Quran.

"The public was curious about my appearance reciting the Quran in a suit. Because someone like them was reciting it, they could approach it more easily, and many people contacted me to teach the Quran to their children," he said.

After his broadcast appearances, requests for Quranic education poured in from diverse sectors—bankers, entrepreneurs, and others. The perception of 'someone like us' dramatically increased accessibility to the Quran.

Despite his advanced degree and specialized knowledge, it was difficult to expand his field of activity in Bangladeshi society. Ahmad wanted to continue the religious work his father had left, but faced the limitations of the domestic environment.

Ultimately, he decided to work at the Dubai Religious Affairs Office to lay the foundation for local ministry. This decision became the catalyst for him to advance to the international stage.

Ahmad participated in the 28th International Iran Quranic Recitation Competition in 2011. Among 250 participants from around the world, he passed the preliminary round and advanced to the top five finalists.

His final result was third place. At that time, first place went to Iran and second to Indonesia, with Ahmad representing Bangladesh taking third. "Placing third there was truly remarkable," he said, and he received a prize of $13,000.

His participation in this competition became the launching pad for his international activities. The recitation video spread worldwide through YouTube, becoming an opportunity to introduce him internationally.

That recitation video spread around the world. "My video had far greater impact than those of the first and second-place winners," Ahmad said. Afterward, invitations began coming from various countries and organizations.

He first visited Beirut, Lebanon, and from there continued with activities in various countries including Tanzania, Morocco, and Brunei. He had the experience of being treated as a guest alongside world-renowned Quranic reciters with greater fame than himself.

"As soon as I got off the plane, a protocol officer came to meet me. Police escorts accompanied me front and back, guiding me through the VIP gate to La Tour Hassan Palace, where royal guests stay," he recalled.

Despite being nominally an unofficial figure, Ahmad received royal-level diplomatic protocol. This was an example of his Quranic recitation activities being recognized internationally.

Through these visits, Ahmad gained the standing to be invited alongside world scholars and prominent figures.

It's difficult to count how many times he has been to each country. Reflecting this volume of activity, he is already on his sixth passport.

He has also participated as a judge at the BRICS Conference. The fact that he is serving as an evaluator in international competitions, going beyond simply visiting, shows that his standing has risen further.

These activities demonstrate that Ahmad is realizing the international religious and cultural work that his father Mohammad Yousuf dreamed of.

Many people asked why he remained in Bangladesh. He received many invitations from universities in developed countries including the United States, Canada, and Europe, but Ahmad declined them.

"I decided not to leave this country to keep a promise I made with my father," he said. It was a determination to continue the Islamic cultural work in Bangladesh that his late father Mohammad Yousuf had dreamed of.

Despite Bangladesh's challenging domestic environment, Ahmad's choice of his homeland was weighted by family legacy and the weight of a promise.

Mohammad Yousuf wanted to build a mosque and madrasah complex, but the plot of land in the Adabor area was illegally occupied in 2008.

Ahmad decided to donate all his lecture fees and honorariums to the fund. With the money collected this way, he purchased 10 kathas of new land in the Bigra area.

He said, "We plan to start construction this winter season," expressing his determination to complete his father's unfinished dream with his own hands.

In 2011, Ahmad was a participant in the Iran International Competition. Thirteen years later in 2024, he was invited as a judge for major international competitions.

He is participating as an evaluator in world-scale competitions including those hosted by the King of Jordan and the Sultan of Brunei. Ahmad said, "As a Bangladeshi, serving as a judge for competitions in several countries around the world is a great honor for me."

This change means he is recognized not merely as a Quranic reciter but as an authority on international Quranic culture.