Salah ibn Al Badiya

Salah el-Jayli Mohamed Abu-Qroon (Arabic: صلاح الجيلي محمد أبوقرون, 1937 – 15 September 2019) was a Sudanese singer, composer and actor known as Salah ibn Al Badiya or Albadya or el-Badya (Arabic: صلاح بن البادية).

ibn Al Badiya died, due to a heart attack, on the 16th of September in 2019, in Amman, Jordan, aged 82. He was there to rest and meet his brother after his final performance during the "Joy of Sudan" concert on the 18th of August, where he sang Oh! My country (Arabic: يا بلدي) before the signing to the formation of the civil and military council in Sudan. Thousands, including political leaders, attended his funeral at Umm Dawm.

ibn Al Badiya started acting at the theatre with actress Nemat Hmad in Greeba Mosodna and for the crown before starting in Tajouje (a historical romantic tragedy). ibn Al Badiya then moved to the cinema, with his first role being in the movie adaption of Tajouje in 1977, Toar Aljar in Germany, and followed by Eyes Journey (1983).

ibn Al Badiya was introduced to music through Madih nabawi, until he stumbled on Umm Kulthum, who – with her voice – opened his eyes to a different kind of music. ibn Al Badiya started his career when he was still a teenager but did not make a public appearance until 1959 due to his conservative family's reaction. He was encouraged by journalists Mahjoub Osman and Mahjoub Mohamed Salah. However, his father recognised his voice on the radio and forced him (or he chose) to change his name so as not to bring shame to the family name, el-Jayli, a well-known Sofi leader.

Born in Umm Dawm, Khartoum, in 1937 and grew up between Umm Dawm and Abu Qaroun. He was known as Al Badiya because of his relationship with the Baadiyah, or the desert. ibn Albadya started his education at Madrasa before attending regular school.