Ahmad Ahmad Nuaina (; born 15 March 1954) is an Egyptian Quran reciter (qāri) and Pediatrician. He is known for his mastery of tajwid and the ten canonical Quranic readings, his distinctive recitation style influenced by Mustafa Ismail, and his parallel career in medicine. He has served as an official Quran reciter of Egyptian Radio and Television since 1979 and has recited at state ceremonies under several Egyptian presidents. In 2025, he was appointed Egypt's Chief Qari (Shaykh al-Maqāri' al-Misriyya).
Early life and education Nuaina was born on 15 March 1954 in the town of Metoubes, Kafr El Sheikh Governorate, Republic of Egypt. His father, a cotton merchant, encouraged him to undertake Quranic studies from an early age.
He began studying the Quran at a traditional Quran school when he was young child and completed memorization of the Quran at the age of eight. Nuaina received his primary and preparatory education in Metoubes and completed his secondary education in Rosetta, Beheira Governorate. He later enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at Alexandria University, graduating as a physician. He specialized in pediatrics, earning both master's and doctoral degrees in the field.
Following graduation, he worked at Alexandria University Hospital an later held administrative positions including vice director of the university children's hospital and vice director of a therapeutic institution in Alexandria.
Quranic training While studying medicine, Nuaina continued his formal Quranic education. He studied the ten canonical Quranic readings under Sheikh Muhammad Farid al-Nu'mani and his wife, Sheikha Umm al-Saad. According to biographical accounts, he attended lessons with them for two hours after the dawn (Fajr) prayer before going to university.
In addition to formal instruction, Nuaina developed his recitation by listening to prominent Egyptian reciters on the radio. Among those he admired were Muhammad Rifat, Abdul Basit Abdus Samad, Abu al-Enein Shuaisha, Mahmoud Khalil al-Husary, and Muhammad Siddiq al-Minshawi.
He is particularly associated with the recitation style of Mustafa Ismail, whom he has described as his greatest influence. Nuaina later recalled becoming personally acquainted with Ismail while studying in Alexandria, stating that his admiration increased after observing his methods of teaching and religious instruction.
Career Quran recitation Nuaina first gained recognition for his recitation while still a university student. His voice attracted the attention of Ahmad al-Sayyid Darwish, head of the Muslim Youth Association in Alexandria, where he regularly recited the Quran.
He also served for approximately ten years as a regular reciter at Al-Samak Mosque in Alexandria, contributing to his growing reputation. In 1979, Nuaina became an official Quran reciter for Egyptian Radio and Television, bringing his recitation to a national audience.
State ceremonies Nuaina's association with Egyptian state ceremonies began during the presidency of Anwar Sadat, who reportedly praised his recitation and compared it to that of Mustafa Ismail. Sadat subsequently invited him to recite at presidential functions and appointed him as his personal physician.
Because of his frequent appearances at official events, Nuaina became widely known as the "Presidential Quran Reciter." He continued to recite at state ceremonies during the presidency of Hosni Mubarak and later appeared at official religious events under subsequent administrations.
In October 2025, Egypt's Minister of Religious Endowments, Osama al-Azhari, appointed Nuaina as Egypt's Chief Qari (Shaykh al-Maqāri' al-Miṣriyya), the country's highest official position for Quran reciters.
International recognition Nuaina has travelled extensively throughout the Arab world, Asia, Europe, and North America to recite Quran during Ramadan, religious conferences, and public events. His recitation have been widely distributed through recordings, broadcasts, and digital media.
He won first prize at the international Quran Recitation Competition held in New Delhi, India, in 1985. He later received first-place honours at international Quran competitions in Malaysia in 1995 and in Brunei.
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