Articles/Submissions > Interview with an Inspirational Recitor

Interview with an Inspirational Recitor
By Iman

Ghazala Gokal, an inspiring sister and mother of two, has certainly been gifted by the Glorious Allah. From a young age she has been using her beautiful “God-given” voice and reads amazing milaads, and always has inspiring words for both the youth and the adults. Being a very close relative of mine, I had an opportunity to do a short interview with her for the youth.

	Iman: where are you originally from?
	Ghazala: I am from Karachi, Pakistan.
	Iman: what languages can you speak fluently?
	Ghazala: English, Urdu and Farsi
	Iman: Has living in Karachi affected who you are today?
	Ghazala: I have actually lived 21 years in Karachi but also 8 years in Tehran. And yes, there are many ways in which I have been and also NOT been influenced by the life in these two cities. I try to adopt the good I see in any country, culture or race as long as it is in conformance with my Islamic beliefs!
	Iman:  how long have you been reciting milaads for?
	Ghazala: wow! Let’s see.... i started reciting at the age of six when i was in School... and now I’m thirty... so you do the math!
	Iman: Who taught you to read?
	Ghazala: My very first teacher was Qari Waheed Zafar who used to visit our school every Saturday to train us for school milaads. Additionally there was a music teacher named Ustad Raees Ahmed in our school who taught the children popular rhymes etc. he was in fact the man who recognized my god-given voice and approached my parents for permission to help me train it. I trained with him for 7 years. Later, in my teens, I had another teacher Naat Khwaan Khurshid Ahmed (late) may Allah grant him paradise. I continued training with him during my visits to Karachi until his very recent death this year.
	Iman: what inspired you to want to read?
	Ghazala: I have to honestly admit that it was more my mothers wish than mine that i recite the praise of Allah, his prophet (saw) and his progeny (as), and gradually over the years, her wish has become my wish!! I now realize how blessed I am by Allah (swt) to have the voice quality I possess and the ability to recite the praise of his loved ones amidst his lovers!
	Iman: what advice do you have for the Shia youth of today?
	Ghazala: stick together! That’s the best thing you can do for each other in the tough times we face today. Create healthy Islamic environments for yourself. Use your gatherings for exchange of useful knowledge and to discuss the holy Quran, and most importantly - don’t waste time!!