HASSAN ALMODHAFAR:

Born on July 2nd 1985, Hassan Almodhafar is from a well know family in the holy city of Najaf. Many servants of the Ahlul Bayt have emerged from the Almodhafar family. Hassan was brought up in a very religious environment; the religious figures in his life had a great influence on his future path.  When he was in Kuwait he would often go to the Hussainyah Alkarbalieya to see his favorite roawdeed Mulla Basim and Mullah Jaleel Alkarbalei. His last Muharam in Kuwait Hassan told Mulla Basim that he wants to be just like him when he grows up. Mulla Basim wasn’t his only inspiration. When Hassan first came to Dearborn he was always around the great radood Sheik Yassine Alumythi. Sheik Yassine was known for his famous poem (latmyah) “Ya Hsain Ibthamayrna” by Abdul Alrasool Muhi Aldeen.  At the tender age of seven he first began recitation; despite all of the religious male figures who aided him in his journey it was his mother who was his greatest inspiration. Hassan first publicly recited a poem at 20 years old when a friend asked him to say a few words at his wedding.  The reaction he received from friends and family gave him the courage to follow his dream.

Moving to the United States did not stop Hassan from fulfilling his dream of being a servant of Ahlul Bayt. Daily he would read poetry and even attempted to write it himself.  He studied several books by famous poets but he was mostly interested in the work of Jaber Alkathemi and Sayed Saeed Alsafi. He would always read and try to make new toors (tunes). Aside of Arabic poetry he tried to write English poems about Ahlul Bayt but always felt discouraged not knowing how people might react to it. After a few years he met with Ali Khalkhali, a visiting poet who came with Sayed Ammar Nakshawani. His words inspired him because Hassan felt that it came from the heart. Sayed Ali Khalkhali not only inspired Hassan to recite but to write as well.

Two months before the month of Muharram of 1427/2006 Hassan heard a new latmyah by Mulla Basim Alkarbalei “I Wanted You To Stay” by the poet Ali Jaber Alkathemi, son of the well renowned poet Jaber Alkathemi. This  poem empowered Hassan and gave him the confidence to get on the podium (minbar) and pursue his true dream. Hassan wanted to know if it was possible to get in touch with Ali Jaber Alkathemi, so he called Sayed Ammar Nakshawani and he made it possible. Without hesitation Ali was willing to serve Ahlul Bayt with all his powers. Knowing Ali not only encouraged Hassan to recite but as a teacher he pushed Hassan to his limits and beyond. As Hassan Always said “Now I truly know why Mulla Basim called Jaber Alkathemi Alaustath (The Teacher), Ali Jaber is the same way”.  With the support of family and friends, Hassan started reciting during Muharam of 1427/2006 in Dearborn MI. After Muharram he was invited to recite in London for the Fatimyah season (Martyrdom of Sayeda Fatima A.S).

He currently is finishing his studies as an electrical engineer at the University of Michigan Dearborn. Aside from minbar recitation, Hassan is currently working on studio recording. His newest album “From My Heart” is now available in stores. His newest album "Endless Tears" is to be released in Muharram 1429 2008.