رعد محمد الكردي
The Kurdish imam whose emotionally powerful voice has moved millions to tears worldwide.
Raad Muhammad Al Kurdi was born in 1991 in Kirkuk, a historically significant city in Kurdistan. He showed an extraordinary connection to the Quran from a young age. His natural talent and dedication led him to become the imam of Imam al-Shafi'i Mosque at the remarkable age of just 15 years old, an achievement that foreshadowed his future as one of the most beloved reciters of his generation.
He received his Quran certification (Ijazah) in the recitation styles of Hafs 'an Asim and Shu'bah 'an Asim from the esteemed Sheikh Ibrahim bin Fadel Al-Mashhadani. This dual certification demonstrates his mastery of two major Quranic transmission chains, a distinction that few reciters achieve at such a young age.
His reputation has extended far beyond Kurdistan. He has served as a visiting imam at prominent mosques in Dubai (UAE) and Kuwait, leading Taraweeh and regular prayers for diverse international congregations. His recitations have resonated with Arabic and non-Arabic speakers alike, transcending language barriers through the sheer spiritual power of his voice.
On YouTube, Raad Al Kurdi has amassed over 3.5 million subscribers and more than 171 million views, making him one of the most-watched Quran reciters online. His influence has been recognized globally; he was featured in The Muslim 500, an annual publication listing the world's most influential Muslims.
Raad Al Kurdi's recitations are renowned for their emotional intensity. His voice carries a deep spiritual weight that moves listeners to tears, not through theatrics, but through genuine connection to the meanings of the verses. Videos of congregations weeping during his prayers have gone viral worldwide.
His formal training under Sheikh Al-Mashhadani ensures impeccable Tajweed (rules of Quran recitation). He balances technical precision with beautiful melodic patterns, making each verse both correct and captivating. His dual certification in Hafs and Shu'bah gives him versatility in recitation styles.
As one of the youngest prominent reciters of his generation, Raad Al Kurdi has inspired countless young Muslims to engage deeply with the Quran. His journey from a teenage imam in Kirkuk to an internationally recognized reciter is a story of dedication and divine blessing.
His recitations transcend cultural and linguistic boundaries. From the mosques of Kurdistan and the Gulf to online audiences across Europe, Asia, and the Americas, his voice touches hearts regardless of the listener's native language.
Listen with word-by-word audio sync on QuranMakkah
The Cave - One of his most iconic recitations, listened to millions of times.
The Forgiver - A powerful recitation showcasing his emotional depth.
Prophet Hud - Known for his tear-inducing delivery of this surah.
Ta-Ha - Beautiful melodic recitation of the story of Musa (Moses).
The Most Merciful - His recitation brings the beauty of this surah to life.
Experience his beautiful recitation with word-by-word audio sync, transliteration, and translation.
Start ListeningRaad Muhammad Al Kurdi (رعد محمد الكردي) is a Kurdish Quran reciter born in 1991 in Kirkuk, Kurdistan. He became the imam of Imam al-Shafi'i Mosque at just 15 years old and has since become one of the most popular Quran reciters in the world, with over 3.5 million YouTube subscribers. He is certified in Hafs 'an Asim and Shu'bah 'an Asim recitation styles.
Raad Al Kurdi is known for his emotionally powerful, tear-inducing recitation style. His voice carries deep spiritual emotion that moves listeners to tears. He combines precise Tajweed with a melodic delivery that makes each verse resonate in the hearts of listeners. His recitations of Surahs like Al-Kahf, Ghafir, and Hud are particularly celebrated.
Raad Al Kurdi is especially known for his recitations of Surah Al-Kahf (The Cave), Surah Ghafir (The Forgiver), Surah Hud, Surah Ta-Ha, and Surah Ar-Rahman (The Most Merciful). His Surah Al-Kahf recitation alone has been listened to millions of times on YouTube and is one of the most popular Quran recitations online.