Chant performers Mohammed Al-Wahaibi, Yahya Bihaqi, and Ali Al-Alawi presented a selection of poems and religious chants during the “Omani Night,” which concluded the program Evenings of Chanting and Praise at the Royal Opera House Muscat.
The concert was part of a series dedicated to spiritual music and religious chanting organized for the Opera House’s 2025–2026 season. Held on March 9, 2026, at the House of Musical Arts, the evening celebrated Oman’s deep spiritual heritage. The performers were joined by Al-Wifaq Choir and the Awatar Al-Takht Ensemble, creating a memorable Ramadan performance inspired by Omani spiritual traditions.
Mohammed Al-Wahaibi, an Omani Qur’an reciter and chanter born in 1995 in Quriyat, began his chanting journey in school in 2001. In 2004 he represented Quriyat as its official chanter and won first place. His style has been influenced by Islamic devotional traditions, including Andalusian and Yemeni muwashahat, as well as by renowned reciters such as Abdul Basit Abdul Samad, Mohamed Siddiq Al-Minshawi, Al-Naqshbandi, and Mishary Al-Afasy.
Yahya Bihaqi, originally from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, grew up in a musically rich environment. His parents composed praise songs in Swahili, helping shape his early musical awareness. At the age of twenty he moved to Beirut, where he met composer and oud player Ziad Sahhab, who played an important role in the development of his musical identity.
Ali Al-Alawi has established a strong presence in Oman’s chanting scene both locally and internationally. He won first place in the Sultanate’s national chanting competition in 2011 and again in 2019, highlighting his distinctive vocal ability.
The evening was further enriched by the participation of Al-Wifaq Chanting Group, founded in 2009 and considered one of Oman’s prominent ensembles in purposeful religious chanting. The group won second place in the sports clubs competition organized by the Ministry of Sports in 2018 and is also known for its volunteer and community initiatives.
The program featured several well-known religious chants, including Tala‘a Al-Badru ‘Alayna, Mawlay Salli wa Sallim, Ahlan Ramadan, and Allah Ya Allah. The audience responded enthusiastically, making the concert a fitting conclusion to the Ramadan series.
The series began on February 26 with a performance by Egyptian singer Mohamed Tharwat and concluded after three evenings celebrating Arab spiritual musical heritage.
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