JEDDAH, 12 October 2007 — The Allami Mosque, located on the west of Tahlia Street in Jeddah, has been drawing a record crowd of worshippers every day throughout Ramadan. The main attraction of the mosque is its imam Sheikh Tawfique Al-Sayegh, 33, who melodiously recites the Holy Qur’an.
“The people of Jeddah are lucky to have such an excellent qari (reciter of the Qur’an),” said Abdullah Al-Muslim, who enjoys Sayegh’s marvelous tone. “His is a unique style of recitation. It helps people to meditate about Qur’anic verses,” says Yousuf Ali, one of the thousands of faithful who attend taraweeh and qiyamullail prayers at Allami Mosque.
Sheikh Sayegh is not only known for his beautiful recitation but also for his thought-provoking supplications after taraweeh and qiyamullail prayers.
Saudis and expatriates, the young and old, women and children all attend these prayers, which they hope would definitely influence their lives and strengthen their faith.
Ridwan, who has been attending prayers at the mosque with his wife and children, was attracted by Sayegh’s melodious reading of the Qur’an with modulation. “Sheikh Sayegh’s recitation is excellent. It makes those who follow him in prayers to get spiritually excited,” he told Arab News. He also referred to a Qur’anic verse that calls for reading the Holy Book with the established rules of pronunciation and intonation.
Born in the Eritrean capital Asmara in 1974, Sayegh obtained his primary, intermediate and secondary education in Saudi Arabia.
He memorized the Qur’an from Aba Al-Khail Mosque in Jeddah with the help of his teacher Dr. Saleh Al-Ghazali. While studying at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University’s branch in Qassim, he had the opportunity to attend the classes of Sheikh Muhammad ibn Saleh Al-Othaimeen, who was one of the prominent Islamic scholars in the Kingdom. He later joined Um Al-Qura University in Makkah.
Sayegh has been leading prayers at the Allami Mosque for the past 10 years. A large number of people stood for prayers behind him.
“This huge crowd that stands behind me enhances my responsibility as an imam and I perform my duties with sincerity,” Sayegh said. The popular imam also makes use of the opportunity to give lectures on Islam. He also inculcates in their minds the fear of God and belief in the hereafter through his lectures and supplications.
Wednesday night saw an unprecedented crowd of worshippers at the mosque as they came to attend special prayers marking the completion of the recitation of the Qur’an. The mosque overflowed with worshippers ever before Sayegh stood for the prayer. Streets and parking areas around the mosque were filled with cars.
When the imam invoked God to pardon their sins and sought His blessings, the worshippers burst out in tears, some of them crying loudly.
During his 45-minute-long supplication after the qiyamullail that lasted for two hours, Sayegh prayed for the people of Iraq to have a life without bloodshed. He also prayed for the unity of Palestinians. He called upon Muslims in general to return to the Qur’an and Sunnah to restore their dignity and glory.
