Roots and training
Sheikh Abu Bakr Al-Shatri grew up in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. He memorised the Qur'an and received an ijazah in recitation in the reading of Hafs from 'Asim – a recognised licence to pass on the Qur'an exactly as he received it through an unbroken chain of teachers. Alongside his path with the Qur'an, he also studied at university.
His work
For many years Al-Shatri has served as an imam and preacher in Jeddah. Especially in the nights of Ramadan, many people come to pray tarawih behind him. He has recorded the entire Qur'an in the murattal style, and these recordings are heard in many countries. He has also appeared at international Qur'an events, and his recitation is offered in many well-known Qur'an apps.
His style
Abu Bakr Al-Shatri's recitation is gentle, melodic and very pleasant to listen to. His voice is bright and soft, his pace calm and balanced. He uses melody with sensitivity, so that it adorns the text without covering it. His pronunciation is clear and his tajweed careful. Many people describe his recitation as soothing – it is easy to listen to him for a long time.
What you can learn from him
Al-Shatri is a lovely choice for anyone looking for a calm, melodic companion while reading. His memorable melody helps with memorisation, because verses stick well with his voice. At the same time his pace is comfortable enough to follow every word in the mushaf.
A suggestion: pick a short surah, listen to it several times with him, and try to recite along by the third or fourth time. Pay attention to where he pauses – it shows you where a thought ends. Over time, not only your hifz will grow but your understanding too.
May Allah preserve him and bless his recitation.