Introduction to Our Quran Maqamat Reciters
The Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute is a leading institution for studying and teaching maqamat, the melodic modes used in Quranic recitation. Located in the United Kingdom, the Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute has produced many renowned maqamat reciters over the years through its rigorous training programs and devotion to preserving these ancient traditions.
Overview of Maqamat
- Maqamat (singular maqam) refers to the system of melodic modes used in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish classical music. There are numerous maqamat, each with its unique melodic character and evocative qualities.
- In Quranic recitation, maqamat is used to beautify the recitation and infuse it with spiritual meaning. The choice of maqam can complement the passage being recited.
- Mastering the maqamat requires years of intense study, practice, and guidance under shuyukh (teachers). The maqamat reciter must learn proper pronunciation and intonation in addition to melodic control.
- Prominent maqamat for Quranic recitation include Bayati, Rast, Saba, and Hijaz among many others. The repertoire of maqamat provides diversity and color to Quranic recitation.
History and Mission of Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute
- Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute was founded 10 years ago by Sheikh Mohamed, a renowned Qari and scholar of Quranic recitation.
- Located in Egypt & United Kingdom, the institute aims to preserve the ancient tradition of melodic Quranic recitation and produce skillful reciters trained in the maqamat.
- The Institute’s teachers come from a long lineage of maqamat masters, ensuring an authentic transmission of this knowledge. Students receive training under experienced shuyukh.
- Central to the Institute’s mission is safeguarding the traditional recitation styles, preventing distortion or loss of these intricate disciplines. The maqamat are passed down through generations, teacher to student.
- In addition to training professional reciters, the Institute teaches proper maqamat recitation to the general public, enabling a deeper appreciation of the Quran’s beauty.
Rigorous Training in Maqamat at Qiratul Quran Institute
The training at Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute is intense and structured to produce maqamat reciters of the highest skill. Key elements include:
- A multi-year program consisting of clear milestones and exams to track progress
- Immersion in the theory of the maqamat as well as practical training
- One-on-one lessons with shuyukh to master pronunciation, intonation, and melodic control
- Layered curriculum covering multiple maqamat, starting from simpler to more advanced
- Daily practice sessions with feedback from teachers to perfect recitation
- Special focus on mastering tricky makharij (articulation points)
- Ornamentation training to beautifully embellish the recitation with trills and other embellishments
- Reading circles to apply knowledge and recite for peers and shuyukh
- Vocal care and strengthening through unique exercises to develop tonal quality
- Memorization of extensive repertoire across maqamat to graduate as a solo reciter
Renowned Alumni of Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute
Many distinguished maqamat reciters & Maqamat teachers of the Muslim world began their journey at the Qiratul Quran Institute. Some notable alumni include:
- Sheikh Mohamed, winner of the prestigious International Quran Recitation Competition. He specializes in the Saba and Hijaz maqamats.
- Ustad Mohamed Habib is a UNESCO-recognized Music Master who has released over 20 albums spanning the maqamat. He is known for his Bayati and Rast recitations.
- Our Imam of the Mosque in Egypt is recognized for his unique recitation style incorporating Arabic and Turkish influences.
- Many Shaykhas, the female professional maqamat reciters, are equally conversant in traditional and modern interpretations.
- Dr. Mohamed, Professor of Quranic Studies from Al Azhar has published extensively on maqamat theory and recitation pedagogy.
Through its illustrious alumni, Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute has profoundly shaped the art of melodic Quranic recitation globally for generations.
Conclusion
The Qiratul Quran Maqamat Institute has played an invaluable role in preserving and transmitting the sacred knowledge of maqamat recitation, the crowning jewel of Quranic rendition. Its teachers train students in an unbroken chain reaching back centuries, instilling in them the very essence of this revered religious practice. The Institute produces consummate reciters capable of moving people’s souls through the Divinely Revealed Word. Its graduates spread across the Muslim world, keeping the tradition alive through their voices.
