TEHRAN – Icon Salim Moazzenzadeh Ardebili, the eulogist of the Prophet’s household who was known as the king of eulogists in Iran, died of heart failure on Tuesday morning, his son, Vadud, announced.

Salim was born in 1936 in Ardebil. He used to perform most of his eulogies in the Azeri language. However, he had a good command of the Persian and Arabic languages as well.

His father, Sheikh Abdolkarim, was one of the first who performed azan on Iran’s national radio program, while the azan by Salim’s brother, Rahim, was considered to be Iran’s most popular.

His son, Vadud, is also a vocalist and an artist.

Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri expressed condolences over the death of Moazzenzadeh in a message published on Tuesday.

“No doubt, the name of that dear individual who added more glory to the eulogies in praise of the Prophet’s household, will remain eternal,” the minister wrote in his message.

“I offer my condolences on the death of this popular eulogist to his family. May God have mercy on his soul,” he added.

Photo: Eulogist Salim Moazzenzadeh Ardebili in an undated photo

RM/YAW