Meet Egypt’s “Golden Neck” on the 36th anniversary of his death

Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad – file

CAIRO – November 30, 2024: Today marks the 36th anniversary of the death of Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad. a popular and well-known Egyptian Quran reciter whose name transcended borders and whose fame spread widely throughout the world.

Over the course of his life and before his death in 1988, Abdul Samad received several nicknames: “A Voice from Heaven,” “The Voice of Mecca,” and “The Golden Neck.”

Even as a child, it was clear that he had a special voice, in addition to his dedication to learning the readings of the Quran and memorizing the Holy Quran at the age of 10.

Abdul Samad was born on January 1, 1927 in the village of “Al-Maraza” in the city of Armani in Qena Governorate, Upper Egypt, and joined the Kuttab of his village Elementary school that was primarily used to teach children reading, writing, grammar and Islamic studies.)

A photo showing what Kuttab looked like

He studied the readings of the Holy Quran by Al-Azhar scholar Sheikh Muhammad Salim Hamada, who took him to read at evenings and parties and praised him everywhere he went until his fame spread throughout the villages and governorates of Upper Egypt.

Move to Cairo

At the age of 27, Abdul Samad joined the Holy Quran radio station in late 1951 to begin his worldwide Quranic career.

After the fame that Sheikh Abdul Basit achieved in a few months, he was forced to live permanently in Cairo with his family, who moved with him to the Sayyida Zeinab district.

At that time, radios were a mainstay of homes in Cairo, where the owners listened to their beloved singers such as Umm Kulthum and favorite reciters headed by Sheikh Abdul Basit Abdul Samad.

Back then, it was normal to hear the echo of his golden recitation from various radios on the streets every day from 8 to 8:30 p.m.

He brings his voice abroad

The Sheikh’s first visit outside Egypt after joining radio in 1952 was to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj pilgrimage with his father. The Saudis asked him to record several recordings for the kingdom to be broadcast over radio waves.

In fact, Abdul Basit recorded several recitations, the most famous of which were recorded in the Holy Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, which is why he was nicknamed “The Voice of Mecca”.

Sheikh Abdul Basit also traveled to a number of Islamic and Arab countries, where kings and heads of state and government invited him to appear at special occasions or to recite during the holy month of Ramadan.

These countries include Syria, where he recited at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, and he also recited the Quran at the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Palestine. He also visited South Africa, Malaysia and other countries.

award

For almost half a century, Abdul Samad was literally the most famous Quran reciter, arousing great sympathy from people around the world who considered him a legend whose voice will live forever.

In 1956, Sheikh Abdul Samad was honored in Syria by being awarded the Order of Merit, the Order of the Cedar in Lebanon, the Gold Medal from Malaysia, an Order from Senegal and another from Morocco. The last medal he received was from future President Mohamed Hosni Mubarak at the Laylat al-Qadr celebration in 1987.

illness and death

Diabetes had taken hold of Sheikh Abdul Samad, although he tried to combat it with extreme caution and commitment to a healthy diet. But he contracted hepatitis and was admitted to hospital, where his health deteriorated.

He was advised to seek treatment abroad and so he went to London where he stayed for a week accompanied by his son Tariq. He returned home and died on November 30, 1988.

An official funeral was held for Sheikh Abdul Samad where ambassadors from various countries attended the funeral service on behalf of their peoples, kings and presidents of the countries to honor his role in the field of advocacy in all its forms.