Dalal Abdul Qader sings traditional religious song to awaken people for the pre-dawn suhoor meal before starting their daylong fast in Maadi district of Cairo, Egypt, on June 6, 2017. This tradition dates back to the Fatimid Caliphate nine centuries ago, when the Musaharati, or Ramadan drummer, was the only means to awaken people for sohoor since there were no alarm clocks or loudspeakers in mosques at that time. For Abdul Qader, the job of Musaharati is not only a way to earn a living, but it is also a revival of an old tradition that brings up love and joy among neighbors and relatives.(Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)
by Emad al-Azrak
CAIRO, June 7, (Xinhua) -- Walking through the alleyways of Maadi district in Cairo two hours after midnight, Dalal Abdul Qader beats her drum to awaken people for the pre-dawn suhoor meal before starting their daylong fast.
"I do not only alarm people for Suhoor, but I also try to bring happiness to children who follow me during my daily trip," Abdul Qader, who works as a Ramadan drummer, or musaharati in Arabic, told Xinhua as she roamed the narrow lanes of the district.
When little kids hear her drum beats, they hurry to the street and surround her joyfully and keep tracing her until she is done with her job.
In addition to drumming, Abdul Qader also sings traditional religious songs that urge people to get up and eat their pre-dawn meal.
As she moves on, lights are on and people start preparing the suhoor, while some children looked from windows and waved to her.
"I feel so much loved...people here respect me and this makes me extremely happy," she said as she waved to a woman saluting her from her window.
For Abdul Qader, the job of Musaharati is not only a way to earn a living, but it is also a revival of an old tradition that brings up love and joy among neighbors and relatives.
"Watching this love surrounding me is priceless," she said with a smile.
This tradition dates back to the Fatimid Caliphate nine centuries ago, when the Musaharati, or Ramadan drummer, was the only means to awaken people for sohoor since there were no alarm clocks or loudspeakers in mosques at that time.
The young lady said she starts drumming for suhoor from 11:00 pm until 2:00 am every day, adding that she never feels tired or bored thanks to the love she receives from everyone she meets.
The 20-some-year-old girl works for a dry-cleaning shop in Cairo through the year, but she works as musaharati during Ramadan to memorize her older brother who died six years ago and who also worked as a musaharati.
"I have been working as a Ramadan drummer for five years...I really love what I'm doing," the young lady added.
She believes that people do not feel it is strange that a woman carries out a men-only job, saying that women in Egypt can now work in many fields such car fixers, truck drivers and construction workers.
"Ramadan is tasteless without the musaharati," 54-year-old Eid Hussien told Xinhua. "Most people might stay up until suhoor time, others have new technologies to wake them up, but still musaharati is the charm of the holy month."
He revealed that everyone in the neighborhood loves and respects Abdul Qader as "she makes us happy because she reminds us of our heritage."
In addition to reviving an old tradition, this job is also a source of income for Abdul Qader who lives in a country going through very difficult economic conditions.
"I earn money from this job as people give me cash by the end of the month for the wake-up service I did...I give a large amount of what I earn to needy children in an attempt to make them happy," Abdul Qader said joyfully.
As the time for fasting approached, the young lady gives a final alarm to people and starts saying goodbye to children who joined her through her trip.
