CAIRO — Sheikh Walid Shahin did not resort to lecterns or preaching in mosques to try to change religious rhetoric in Egypt. His faith in national unity and common values and principles among different religions pushed him to use his passion for music to communicate his message. His religious education at Al-Azhar University did not stop him from also studying musicology. He has even contributed to the music-making and hymnody of several television drama series, such as the show “The People of Cairo.”

Shahin was affected by the January 25 Revolution, in which he participated and protested in Tahrir Square until Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak stepped down Feb. 11, 2011. Back then, Shahin realized that the way to real change is in national unity. He translated this idea into his art and started a group to perform hymns with Christian hymn singer Michael Rida. While Shahin sings for the Virgin Mary and chants poems by Pope Shenouda III, Rida chants the poems of Sheikh Sayed Al Nakshabandi.

“Rev. Yousef Samir, the parish priest of St. Michael Church, came up with the idea after he invited me, as well as Rida, to perform hymns and chants at the No to Violence event. Suddenly, he asked us to perform together in one section," Shahin told Al-Monitor.

“Later on, I got together with Rida and was really surprised by his vocal abilities, especially in singing Sheikh Nakshabandi. Thus, we agreed to do a duet and perform a mix of Islamic chants and religious hymns."