Sixty Years of Recitation and Light: The Story of the Oldest Radio for the Holy Quran

SadaNews - The Quran Radio is considered one of the most important and well-known specialized radio stations in the Islamic world, holding a special place in the hearts of Egyptians. Since its launch, it has become a daily voice accompanying homes, streets, and means of transportation, especially during the blessed month of Ramadan.

The Quran Radio in Egypt was launched in 1964, making it the oldest radio station in the world among Quran radio stations, or religious radio in general. Its establishment was primarily aimed at protecting the recitations of the Holy Quran from distortion, following the spread of inaccurate copies of the Quran at that time. The goal was to provide correct and approved recitations by prominent Egyptian reciters, alongside moderate religious programs that reflect the teachings of Al-Azhar.

Its Most Famous Broadcasters

From its beginning, the radio has become a platform for spreading the distinctive Egyptian recitation, which is internationally known for its beautiful performance, spectacular melodies, and mastery of Tajweed rules.

The station has hosted a number of prominent broadcasters whose voices have been connected to the feelings of Egyptians, including Dr. Hagar Saad El-Din, the presenter and producer of the "Baraem Al-Iman" program and the first woman to head the Quran Radio in Egypt, and Shahat Al-Arabi, presenter of the "Qutouf Min Hadayeq Al-Iman" program, and Abdul-Samad Desouki, presenter of the programs "Lights on the Islamic World" and "In the Shadows of Prophetic Guidance," Ibrahim Khalaf, presenter of the program "Thoughts of the Imam," and also Mohamed Awida, presenter of the "Islamic Mail" program, among other famous broadcasters of the station who contributed to establishing the identity of the radio with a majestic voice and a performance that conveys dignity and tranquility.

The Quran Radio has been and still is a platform for Egypt's top reciters who have become symbols in the Islamic world, including Sheikh Mohamed Refaat, who is called the "Lyre of Heaven," and who was one of the first to have his recitations broadcast, and Sheikh Abdul-Basit Abdul-Samad, whose melodious voice reached international fame.

The Most Famous Reciters

As well as Sheikh Mustafa Ismail, one of the pillars of the Egyptian school of recitation, and Sheikh Mahmoud Khalil Al-Hosary, the first to record the entire Quran in a melodious voice, and Sheikh Mohamed Sidique Al-Minshawy, known for his humble and impactful performance. Their voices continue to be broadcast daily, as if time has stopped at the moments of purity they created.

The Quran Radio is not merely a radio station; it is part of the daily routine in Egypt, starting at the dawn call to prayer in many homes, playing in taxis and public transport, and heard in shops and clinics. It accompanies the elderly during their moments of rest, bringing tranquility to hearts during work or before sleep.

The sound of the Quran broadcasted has also been associated with moments of joy and sorrow, new beginnings, and prayer in times of hardship.

Its Special Status in Ramadan

In Ramadan, the importance of the Quran Radio increases significantly. It broadcasts Taraweeh prayers, as well as chants and supplications before the Maghrib call to prayer, fatwa programs, and responses to fasting people's questions, along with humble recitations during the pre-dawn meal and just before breaking the fast.

For many Egyptians, the Ramadan atmosphere is not complete without the sound of the Quran filling the home before the Maghrib call to prayer, or a calm recitation during Suhoor. It is part of the Ramadan memories that have been passed down through generations.

For more than sixty years, the Quran Radio has remained a voice of serenity in Egyptian homes, and its status has not changed despite the advancement of media tools, as it is not just a radio station but a spiritual state and a collective memory connecting the past with the present.