UAE: Meet the Imam who became a social media influencer with millions of followers

Long before the term ‘influencer’ became popular, Sheikh Mishary Alafasy already imbibed the role and has been “influencing” people with inspirational stories.

Speaking at the 1 Billion Follower Summit in Dubai in Wednesday, Alafasy, who is renowned for his beautiful recitation of the Holy Quran, said he approached his work not just as an Imam but also as a content creator, drawing upon his skills in sound engineering and radio production.

His goal was clear — to benefit and inspire people through his voice and content. His passion for media in his religious content is aimed at bringing about positive change.

Path to success

Sheikh Alafasy’s path to success started when some individuals, including the Minister of Endowments of Kuwait, recognised his talent and recorded his Tarawih prayers in 1993. These recordings were initially distributed on cassettes, CDs, and later via the Al-Afasy satellite channel. As the media landscape evolved, Sheikh Alafasy adapted to the changes, embracing new technologies and platforms.

The Al-Afasy channel, launched in 2004, was a trailblazer in its time, akin to today’s TikTok channels. Sheikh Alafasy utilised this platform to create short video clips conveying powerful messages. From recitations of the Quran to prophetic hadiths and inspirational stories, his content resonated with millions around the world.