'Abd al-Bāsit 'Abd al-Samad (1927-88) is one of the most renowned Egyptian Qur'ān reciters of the mujawwad and murattal styles, admired nationally and internationally for his remarkable voice and improvisatory style. Starting from the 1950s, his national and international career was entwined with the emergence of Egyptian mass media, which contributed not only to the spread of his voice on the radio, followed by the distribution of cassettes, but also to the formation of his image through a variety of media texts. While avoiding explicit political engagement, he largely contributed to the religious legitimation of 'Abd al-Nāsir's and al-Sādāt's policies by his presence at iconic events, as well as to the growth of Egyptian soft power. This article sets 'Abd al-Bāsit 'Abd al-Samad's career within the media and political landscape of his time, exploring his journey from his Upper Egyptian home village to transnational celebrity.
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CITATION STYLE
Sayfo, O. (2021). A Celebrity from the Sky: ’Abd al-bāsit ’Abd al-Samad’s Journey to National and International Fame in ’Abd al-Nāsir’s and al-Sādāt’s Egypt. Welt Des Islams, 62(1), 53–77. https://doi.org/10.1163/15700607-61020020