Amr Khaled - Biography, Life Story, Info, Wiki, Wikipedia

Name in English: Amr Khaled
Name in Arabic: عمرو خالد
Full real name: Amr Mohamed Helmy Khaled
Nationality: Egypt
Language: Arabic, Egyptian dialect
Religion: Islam (Sunni)
Residence: London
Date of birth: September 5, 1967
Place of birth: Alexandria, Egypt
Age: 55 years (in 2022)
Astrological Sign: Virgo
Profession: Islamic preacher
Years of activity: 1988 – until now
Social status: Married
Wife: Ola Abdel Latif
Sons: Omar, Ali
Father: Mohamed Helmy Khaled

Biography, Life story

Amr Khaled is an Islamic preacher and thinker, one of the most prominent figures in the Islamic world. He is known for hosting numerous TV programs that address religious, social, and political issues. He is also the founder of the “Life Makers” organization, which aims to develop Arab and Islamic communities by empowering youth and raising religious and social awareness.

Early Life and Education

Amr Khaled was born on September 5, 1967, in Alexandria, Egypt. After completing his secondary education, he enrolled at Cairo University, where he was a member of the Al Ahly club’s youth team in 1985. During his university years, he was involved in various student and sports activities, serving as President of the Students’ Union at the Faculty of Commerce in 1988, and Vice President of Cairo University’s Student Union that same year. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Cairo University in 1988.

He worked for seven years at an accounting firm before opening his own office in Cairo. In 1990, he obtained a diploma in Islamic studies from the Higher Institute of Islamic Studies in Giza, then pursued a PhD in Islamic law from the University of Wales in the UK, completing his thesis on “Islam and Coexistence with the West” in 2010.

Professional Career

Beginning of the Dawah Career

Amr Khaled began his religious activities in the 1990s, initially giving religious lectures in several mosques in Cairo, including at Al-Said Club and Al-Hosari Mosque, then moved to Al-Maghfirah Mosque in the Agouza district. His popularity grew, leading to his lectures being hosted in more mosques, including the Al-Hosari Mosque in 6th of October City.

2001-2006: Media Outreach and the “Life Makers” Program

Amr Khaled gained widespread fame in the early 2000s with his television programs. His first program, “Wa Nalqi Al-Ahbab” (We Meet the Loved Ones), aired on Iqra TV from 2001 to 2003, focusing on the lives of the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad and their experiences.

In 2003, he launched the program “Life Makers” which encouraged youth to engage in developmental projects aimed at the renaissance of the Muslim community. It became one of his most influential programs. He continued his success with other programs like “On the Footsteps of the Beloved” (Ramadan 2005), focusing on the Prophet’s biography, and “Bismak Nahya” (In Your Name We Live) in 2006, which dealt with the names of Allah and their application in everyday life.

2007-2009: Politics and Leaving Egypt

In 2007, Amr Khaled presented “A Call for Coexistence”, which discussed the lives of the four main imams and emphasized values of coexistence. In the same year, he introduced “Jannah in Our Homes”, which addressed family issues and resolving conflicts within families.

In 2009, due to tensions with the Egyptian authorities over his “Human Project”, which had widespread support from Arab youth, Amr Khaled moved to London. He later returned to Egypt but faced political and religious challenges, leading to his second departure that same year. He was banned from filming his programs in Egypt and from broadcasting on Egyptian channels like Al-Mihwar and Al-Hayat.

During this time, Amr Khaled launched various initiatives, including the 2010 program “Journey to Happiness” and in 2011, the “Science is Power” initiative aimed at eradicating illiteracy in Egypt in five years. In 2012, he launched two campaigns: “Himayah” (Protection) against drugs, and “Aw’a” (Beware) to raise awareness about the dangers of drugs among Arab youth.

In 2012, Amr Khaled founded the “Egypt Future Party” after the January 25 revolution but later resigned from the party due to political reasons, choosing to focus on his religious work.

Influence

Amr Khaled emerged as one of the most prominent Islamic preachers engaging with Arab youth, especially through development projects such as “Life Makers” and “Protectors of the Future”, which addressed issues like unemployment, health, and drug abuse. His moderate approach made him highly accepted among young Arabs and helped him avoid sectarian and extremist stances.

Recognition and Awards

In 2007, Amr Khaled was named one of “The 100 Most Influential People in Our Lives” by Time magazine. His name also appeared in Newsweek magazine’s list of distinguished personalities in April 2008. In 2009, he was ranked sixth in Foreign Policy magazine’s list of the most influential thinkers globally. That same year, he was included in Royal Institute of Strategic Studies’ list of 50 most influential Muslims.

Presidential Candidacy

Despite his influence, Amr Khaled has stated that he prefers to remain in the field of Dawah and development rather than run for the presidency, though he has not ruled out the possibility in the future.

Criticism

Amr Khaled has faced criticism for allegedly receiving money for his religious work, which some have deemed impermissible in Islam. He has denied this, clarifying that he receives a salary for his administrative role at Iqra TV and does not accept money for religious lectures or conferences. In 2007, a Forbes Arabia report claimed his income reached $2.5 million, which Amr Khaled denied, stating that the revenue was from ads aired during his program, from which he did not benefit personally.

He has also faced criticism from some scholars and preachers, including Abu Ishaq al-Huwayni, Muhammad Hassan, and Wagdy Ghoneim, due to what they considered serious errors in some of his statements. Wagdy Ghoneim mentioned having met with Amr Khaled to review his works, and they agreed to form a committee of scholars to review and revise his previous works.

Personal Life and Relationships

Amr Khaled married Dr. Alaa Abdel Latif in 1991 when he was 24 years old, and they have two children, Ali and Omar.

List of works

Amr Khaled presented a number of television programs, published a number of books, and participated in several campaigns and initiatives. This is a list of jobs organized by year.

Programs

Amr Khaled presented many TV programs, which are as follows:
We meet loved ones (Iqraa channel, 2001-2003), Our Islam (Egyptian TV, 2002), episodes on family problems (ART channels, 2003), until they change themselves (ART channels, 2003), Quranic thoughts (ART channels, Ramadan 2003). Ramadan Lectures (ART Channels, Ramadan 2003), Makers of Life (Iqra Channel, 2004-2005), In the Footsteps of the Beloved (Iqra Channel, Ramadan 2005), In Your Name We Live (ART Channels, Ramadan 2006), The Truth of the Messenger of God (Al-Resala Channel, Ramadan 2006), Human Glances (Al-Mehwar Channel, Ramadan 2006), A Call to Coexistence (Various Satellite Channels, 2007), Heaven in Our Homes (Various Satellite Channels, Ramadan 2007), Stories of the Qur’an (Al-Mehwar Channel – Al-Resala Channel – Abu Dhabi Channel, Ramadan 2008), Stories of the Qur’an 2 (Al-Mehwar Channel – Al-Resala Channel – Sham Channel, Ramadan 2009), Revamped, A Journey to Happiness (Ramadan 2010), tomorrow is better (2011), with the followers (MBC Channel – Al Masrya Channel – Al Qahirah Wal Nas Channel, Ramadan 2011), Omar, Creator of Civilization (MBC Channel, Ramadan 2012), Words from the Heart (Dream Channel), The Story of Andalusia (MBC Channel – LBC Channel, Ramadan 2013), Faith and Age (2015).

Authors

Amr Khaled has published several books that have been translated into several languages, especially French, as follows:
Morals, worship, reforming hearts, patience and taste, Joseph, until they change what is in themselves, stories of the prophets, in the footsteps of the beloved, life makers, heaven in our homes, the successors of the Messenger, worships of reflection, Quranic thoughts, in your name we live, stories of the Qur’an, a call to coexistence, I am Make on Earth a Caliph, Faith and Age, Rafi Barakat.