💿🌙 For decades now, Ramadan has been linked in our collective conscience with warmth, intimacy, and the sort of spirituality felt everywhere. Just as the month makes its presence known through the details of daily life — our food, decorations, and traditional dress — its influence has extended to music, be it through songs, hymns, dramatic “mosalsalat” intros, or even TV commercials. These melodies often fade throughout the year, only to resurface as the month approaches, with their absence adding to their value.

In today’s edition of Now Playing, we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Month by revisiting its most significant musical milestones in Egyptian history.

Wahawi Ya Wahawi is widely accepted as the oldest known Ramadan song to hit the airwaves. First broadcast in the 1930s, written by Hussein Helmy El-Manesterli and composed and sung by Ahmed Abdel Qader, it spread like wildfire among the old and the young alike. From its lyrics, which contain ancient Egyptian vocabulary, to its joyful melody reflecting its era, this song has lived for over 89 years as the ultimate expression of Ramadan joy.

Then came Ramadan Gana. In 1943, composer Mahmoud El Sherif reached out to Abdel Qader to present him with a brand new Ramadan anthem. Abdel Qader turned it down, eventually passing it on to Mohamed Abdel Mottaleb, who was also initially unconvinced, accepting it only out of obligation. The song then became one of the singer’s most — if not the most — popular. With its sweet melody and lyrics by poet Hussein Tantawi, Ramadan Gana has captured the love and longing for the month in every household ever since.

Even the Masaharatis began to sing. A tradition as old as Islamic civilization itself, the practice evolved to include a hint of music. This is evident both in the neighborhood drummers who chant rhythmic phrases to a specific beat and in professional artists like Sayed Mekawy. Mekawy sang and composed “ El Masaharati,” based on the poems of Fouad Haddad.

An ode to Ramadan until the very last second. Our sonic odes to Ramadan extend even to its departure. Sharifa Fadel, with her soulful voice, gave us Tam El Badr Badry. Written by Abdel Fattah Mostafa and composed by Abdel Azim Mohamed, the song beautifully mourns the end of the Holy Month as the moon completes its lunar cycle. Decades later, it remains an impactful melody evoking genuine sadness at beautiful moments gone too soon.

As Om El Donia’s soundscape evolved, contemporary names also became intertwined with Ramadan melodies. From Ali El Haggar and his iconic 80s and 90s TV series intros, to Mohamed Mounir and the Bakkar song that defined a generation’s childhood, to Hussain Al Jassmi, Sherine, and Amr Diab. Their commercial jingles transcend the products they promote, evolving into warm anthems of family, friendship, and happiness that cross the boundaries of time and place.

(** Tap or click the headline above to read this story with all of the links to our background as well as external sources.)

Tags: