@Halal July/August 2020 | Page 24

24 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