Sheikh Abdelaziz Al-Karraani: Farewell to a Radiant Voice Who Lived by the Qur’an and Passed Away in Devotion

Aldar / Profile

With deep sorrow and reverence, Moroccans bid farewell on the morning of Saturday, May 31, 2025, to one of the most melodious and spiritually moving Qur’anic voices — Sheikh Abdelaziz, who departed to his Lord after a long struggle with illness. He left quietly, yet his echo remains eternal, filling mosques and the hearts that had grown attached to his soulful recitation.

Sheikh Abdelaziz Al-Karraani was born in the city of Casablanca, where the first lines of his journey with the Holy Qur’an were written. That journey began at a very young age — at just five years old — when his father sent him to the traditional Qur’anic school, or kuttab. His first teacher was his maternal uncle, a devoted memorizer and teacher of the Qur’an. From that moment on, the Qur’an was not just something to memorize and recite — it became his identity, his behavior, and his way of life.

The Sheikh dedicated his entire life to the service of the Qur’an and its people, starting from leading prayers in humble mosques in the Sidi Maarouf neighborhood, and eventually at Al-Qadi Ayad Mosque in the Al-Mustaqbal district — a mosque that came to be affectionately known among the locals as “The Mosque of Sheikh Abdelaziz Al-Karraani.” There, his voice moved souls during Tarawih prayers, and hundreds of students learned from him — not only the art of recitation, but also dignity and tranquility.

Al-Karraani was not just a reciter; he was a mentor, a man of da’wah, and a living example of humility and sincerity. He never sought fame or position — his only ambition was to perfect his recitation and to make the Qur’an his lifelong companion, and that of those around him. For this reason, his name remained etched in the memories of his disciples and admirers, and in the words of scholars and preachers — long before his passing.

When news of his death was announced, grief spread across Casablanca. Worshippers flocked to Al-Qadi Ayad Mosque for his funeral prayer in a solemn scene that spoke volumes. Their spontaneous presence was a living testament to the love people had for him, and to the profound impact he left on their hearts — an impact not crafted by cameras or platforms, but by the serenity in his voice and the sincerity in his character.

Prominent scholars and well-known reciters mourned his passing. At the forefront was Sheikh Omar Al-Qazabri, who described him as a kind, cheerful man — loyal to the Qur’an. Sheikh Mohamed Al-Maghrawi also expressed sorrow over the loss of “a man of the Qur’an, committed to the Sunnah, and noble in character.”

With the passing of Sheikh Abdelaziz Al-Karraani, Morocco has lost one of its most distinguished men of the Qur’an, and the mosques have lost a humble voice that stirred souls during the nights of Ramadan. Yet his voice lives on — in hearts, in recordings, and in the legacy of a man who lived by the Qur’an and died in devotion to it.

May Allah have mercy on Sheikh Abdelaziz Al-Karraani, and reward him generously for his service to the Qur’an and its people.