During Ramadan, Suhoor is the first meal consumed at pre-dawn before beginning our fast. Although most of us rely on alarm clocks and digital alarms to wake us up for Suhoor, some countries practice certain traditions to ensure their Muslim community does not miss the most important meal of the day.
Here is how different countries across the world wake up for Suhoor.
Visit our Ramadan 2025 page for more Ramadan and Eid content!
Image Credit: Ahmed Adly from Unsplash
Dating back a few hundred years, the Arabs practiced an ancient Islamic tradition where they had a human assigned to wake up the Muslim sleepers. They have the night caller known as Mesaharaty (Suhoor’s Men) in Egypt or Al Tabbeil (drummer) in other Arabian countries.
In smaller villages, the Mesaharaty will knock on each door, calling the inhabitants by their names, make loud sounds with a drum or a flute, and say religious phrases. The tradition has died down over the years, from a man wearing robes to children and teens wearing modern clothing, carrying Ramadan lanterns, and knocking on doors to earn some pocket money.
Need easy meal ideas? Check out these simple Suhoor recipes for a nutritious start to your fast!
In some parts of Lebanon, a Mesaharaty will be assigned to each region. He will be wearing white robes and calling the neighbors to wake up for Suhoor. The role of a Mesaharaty is passed down from its predecessors.
Like Egypt, the tradition has begun to disappear, now replaced with cars that will blast loud Islamic prayers as they make their way around the neighborhood.
The tradition of a night caller still exists in some villages in Malaysia, but instead of one person, it’s a team of people. Teens and young adults have revived the tradition by forming a group known as “Gerak Sahur,” which translates to the Suhoor Movement.
The group will wander around the neighborhood as a “drumming band”, beating empty paint buckets and shouting Islamic phrases to give the villagers a wake-up call around 3 to 4 a.m.
During Ramadan, a Nafar (horn player) will play a trumpet and roam the streets while wearing a Gandora (traditional robe) and a pair of slippers. They are sometimes accompanied by drum players, also known as Tebbal.
These volunteers will receive tips from those who have woken up from their slumber, especially on the last night of Ramadan, as a gratitude for their services.
Image credit: Iman Boer on Pexels
Troubled teens here are getting a new shot of hope by serving for their local mosque. A group of 20 kids and up and ready to beat empty paint cans and water jugs, tambourines, and drums to signal the time for Suhoor in the streets of Jakarta.
Few would find it a nuisance, as it keeps the children busy while making it entertaining for the folks who live nearby.
The tradition remains largely alive, with drummers assigned to all 81 provinces of the country. In Istanbul, the largest city of Türkiye, thousands of drummers are distributed to over 900 neighborhoods, where they are greeted warmly by the residents.
It’s serious business for the drummers, as they will be trained under their Mukhtars (village heads), ensuring the right attire and reciting the traditional verses. Identification cards and safety reflective vests are handed out to these drummers where these drummers are appointed in the respective neighborhood they live in.
Image credit: Tahir Ansari from Unsplash
In the outskirts, Sahar Khans are the night drummers who walk around the neighborhood, a tradition passed down from ancestors, as they roam for an hour before their suhoor.
Somewhere in Old Delhi, the Munaadis are the city’s town criers, holding a torch and a stick to call people to rise. However, the camaraderie has lessened over the years, as certain folks do not want to be addressed by name and prioritizing a good night’s sleep for the elderly and children who do not fast.
There is little monetary compensation in these roles, relying on the community who may donate gifts or meals. However, most will say that their greatest reward is Sawab, the spiritual merit.
Learn how Ramadan is celebrated around the world with these unique traditions!
While others make loud drum noises, in the capital of Bangladesh, a group of singers will walk through the alleyways, singing songs from the Qasida genre of Urdu poetry.
The Qasida is an ancient poetry. In the earlier days, singers would come along with traditional musical instruments such as dhols and Khartals, creating a magical atmosphere in the dark alleys of the night. While the tradition is slowly losing its charm, singing these melodic verses remains something to look forward to before Suhoor.
Image Credit: Tatiana Mokhova from Unsplash
How do you get people eager for Suhoor? By playing games! This male-dominated deception game involves two large groups of tens to hundreds of players, where members have to guess who is holding a mihbes (ring) that is passed from the team leader.
The opposing team will select a representative to walk around the group and determine who the “ringbearer” is by their facial expressions alone, and then they will go through a process of elimination. It’s a fun game to keep everyone on their toes before Suhoor.
There you have the various traditions that each country has practiced to this day. Recently, there have been initiatives to revive these old customs and preserve their charm.
We hope you get a chance to experience these traditions when you visit these countries during Ramadan!
