Traditional wake-up call for Sehri in Istanbul

The centuries old tradition of drumming to wake Muslims before Sehri time during the holy month of Ramazan is still alive in Turkiye.

The practice is mainly seen in the Turkiye’s largest city Istanbul.

This year at least 3,350 drummers are taking part in an effort to make the centuries-old tradition alive in the city that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait.

The chairperson of the federation of mukhtar said that the Sultan of 11 Months – has many traditions that have been carried from past to present. One of these traditions is waking up Muslims for Sehri (pre-dawn meal) with drums, Selami Aykut further said. The Muslim tradition dates back to Ottoman era, making faithful happy, he continued.

Like in the past, the people of Istanbul will be waken with drums during the entire month of Ramazan.

The drummers are imparted special training under the supervision of mukhtars, who closely follow all stages of preparation, from the drummers’ attire to the many (traditional verses recited during Ramazan).

There are 964 neighbourhoods in Istanbul and approximately 3,350 drummers will be on duty in the city during this Ramazan.

The tradition of waking up people for Sehri exists in the Muslim world since centuries. The first muezzin of Islam Hazrat Bilal Habshi (R.A) was also the first ever proclaimed drummer.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) had tasked Hazrat Bilal (RA) with waking up the Muslims in Madina for Sehri.