LAHORE: Hassan Ali Kasi was recently named champion of an international online Qari competition (Siraj Al-Kabeer) hosted by Afghanistan, where he was up against contestants from 25 other countries.
To master the art of Quran recitation, 21-year-old Hassan Ali Kasi had to follow a strict regime of yoga, hours of rehearsing vocal scales, and a total ban on biryani. “It was a job of the prophets,” he said while talking to an international news agency.
“One of the very first elements of preaching was recitation. It is as old as Islam,” Hassam Kasi added. Qaris require perfect Arabic pronunciation, with finesse of rhythm and melodic sound similar to the distinctive azaan, or call to prayer.
Hassan Kasi practises yoga to help with breath control, and vocal exercises to strengthen his voice. “A qari should be able to recite for a minimum of 50 seconds without taking a breath,” said Kasi.
“The throat is very sensitive, a qari should avoid cold water and fatty food as it produces too much mucus, which causes abrasion when you touch high notes,” he added.
Kasi further said that quality teachers were the key to his winning voice. “When you follow a good qari, you can spread your voice across the world,” he added.
Kasi was tutored in the Quran by his father, and his recitation skills quickly earned him recognition at the national level where he won numerous awards before making it onto the international stage.
Revered in Pakistan, qaris are professional reciters of the holy Quran, called upon to lead prayers at mosques and also to teach students.
