Late Qari Al-Banna Commemorated in Latest Episode of Egypt’s ‘State of Recitation’
According to Al-Watan, in this episode that was aired on Saturday, Egyptian media activist Asaad Younis, discussed the life of Sheikh al-Banna and the distinctive features of his recitations.
Reviewing the biography of the late qari, he stated that this Egyptian reciter was born in 1926 in a village near in the city of Shebin Al-Kum in the Menoufia governorate of Egypt and began his Quranic life by joining the school of his village.
He said that every day, al-Banna added layer of beauty to his voice and light to his heart, and like a free bird in the sky, he moved among the musical ranks and established his position as one of the most prominent qaris in Egypt and the Islamic world.
Sheikh Ahmed Mahmoud Ali al-Banna, the son of Master al-Banna, attended the program, expressing his gratitude for the honoring of his father.
He said this honoring reminds him of the great responsibility to complete his father’s mission in serving the Book of God and reviving the Egyptian school of recitation through genuine Quranic talents.
“Egypt is the birthplace of Quranic talents and has talents and owners of outstanding voices that need to be recognized and discovered,” he stated.
He emphasized that honoring late qaris in the State of Recitation program is a significant step by the trustees of this program to introduce them as much as possible and encourage emerging talents to follow the path of these personalities.
Egypt’s Awqaf Minister Osama Al-Azhari also attended the program, paying tribute to Sheikh Mahmoud Ali al-Banna.
He considered the late qari as one of the most prominent stars in the sky of Quran recitation.
Sheikh al-Banna’s recitation was a source of inspiration and joy for Egyptians, because it combined spiritual beauty with a wonderful voice, a voice that has always affected the ears, hearts, minds and tastes of the Egyptian people, Al-Azhari said.
“He was a unique school of recitation and his voice has remained immortal in the memory of generations.”
Read More:
The Egyptian Awqaf minister added, “I personally have a special passion for the recitation of Sheikh Mahmoud Ali al-Banna; because he was a guide and inspiration for the entire community, and his recitation was unforgettable with his spirituality and sincerity.”
Egyptian businessman’s financial contribution
Reports also indicate that Egyptian businessman Hisham Talat Mustafa, announcing his financial support for the State of Recitation program, has allocated 10 million pounds as a financial contribution to this program.
This decision was made in order to participate in the efforts to revive the tradition of Egyptian Quran recitation, strengthen the soft power of the country, and cultivate future talents, he has said.
The Awqaf ministry and the United Media Services Company, as the producers of the program, expressed their gratitude to the Egyptian businessman for “this outstanding step that increases the opportunities for participation and financial support in the future seasons of the program.”
The State of Recitation program is currently regarded as Egypt’s largest talent search program in Quran recitation and Tajweed.
Produced in cooperation with the Ministry of Awqaf and the United Media Services Company, it seeks to identify promising reciters from across the country.
The program features a high-level judging panel comprised of prominent religious and scholarly figures from the Islamic world: Hassan Abdel-Nabi, Taha Abdel-Wahab, Mostafa Hosny, Taha Al-Nuamani.
Read More:
It also includes a number of special guests: Osama al-Azhari, Nazir Mohamed Ayyad, Ali Gomaa, Ahmed Na’ina, Abdel-Fattah al-Tarouti, Jaber al-Baghdadi, the British scholar Muhammad Ayoub Asif, and Morocco’s Omar al-Qazabri.
The first-place winners in both the recitation and intonation categories will each receive one million pounds, in addition, they will have the entire Quran recorded in their voices and broadcast on the “Misr Quran Karim” channel.
They will also be given the honor of leading the Taraweeh prayers at the Imam Hussein (AS) Mosque during the upcoming month of Ramadan.
4322635
