As a child, Majid showed a strong inclination toward religious gatherings. He frequently attended local husseiniyahs (religious halls) and was fascinated by the reciters’ ability to move people through poetry and voice. His talent was recognized early by elders in his community, who encouraged him to continue training his voice and memorizing religious poetry.
Bani Fatemeh pursued his academic studies in Tehran and completed high school before fully dedicating himself to his passion for eulogizing. His transition from an amateur reciter to a professional maddah began when he was only 15 years old.
The Beginning of His Eulogistic Career
The turning point in Bani Fatemeh’s life came in 1992 when he formally began reciting eulogies. At that time, Iran was witnessing a strong revival of religious expression following the Iran-Iraq War, and mourning ceremonies were central to the nation’s collective memory. Young, passionate, and armed with a powerful voice, Bani Fatemeh quickly found his place among the new generation of maddahs.
He often recalls that his encounter with Saeed Haddadian, one of Iran’s most influential eulogists, was a pivotal moment in his artistic and spiritual development. The two met at a funeral, and Haddadian’s mentorship deeply impacted Bani Fatemeh’s style, stage presence, and understanding of the spiritual depth required in recitation. Haddadian became both a teacher and an inspiration, guiding the young reciter toward mastering the balance between emotion and discipline in religious performance.
