- Title: JERUSALEM: Christian man in Jerusalem upholds tradition of Ramadan drummer
- Date: 24th July 2013
- Summary: JERUSALEM (JULY 19, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DAMASCUS GATE IN JERUSALEM OLD CITY AT NIGHT RAMADAN LANTERN HANGING ON WALL VARIOUS OF RAMADAN DRUMMER, MICHAEL AYOUB, WALKING THROUGH STREETS BANGING DRUM AND SINGING TO WAKE FASTING MUSLIMS STREET SIGN READING (Arabic, English and Hebrew): 'BURJ AL LAQLAQ STREET' (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RAMADAN DRUMMER, MICHAEL AYOUB, SAYING: "I started a career as a Musaharati because we had started to lose this Ramadan tradition. So I wanted to revive this tradition." AYOUB BANGING DRUM AND CALLING OUT TO PEOPLE / MAN GIVING HIM A GLASS OF WATER STREET SIGN READING (Arabic, English and Hebrew): 'LION'S GATE' VARIOUS OF AYOUB DRUMMING AND SINGING TRADITIONAL SONGS TO WAKE PEOPLE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) RAMADAN DRUMMER, MICHAEL AYOUB, SAYING: "For the past nine years, I have been a Musaharati because I want the Christians and Muslims to come together in the villages and towns. This is very good and positive for all the sects." VARIOUS OF AYOUB BANGING DRUMS AND SINGING TO WAKE PEOPLE
- Embargoed: 8th August 2013 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Jerusalem
- City:
- Country: Israel
- Topics: Entertainment,General
- Reuters ID: LVA3YTOPLC1N9JOGLE8A4HQ2Q8EI
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: Although he is a Christian, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is a busy time for Michael Ayoub.
In his role as a 'Musaharati' drummer, the 37-year-old tours villages and cities during Ramadan.
He walks the streets before dawn beating his drum to wake Muslims observing the fast for their suhoor meal, the last meal before sunrise and the start to a long day's fast.
Dressed in traditional clothing, Ayoub said he wanted to keep the Ramadan custom alive.
"I started a career as a Musaharati because we had started to lose this Ramadan tradition. So I wanted to revive this tradition," Ayoub said.
A construction worker by day, Ayoub said that Musaharati drummers are fast disappearing as people are relying more on alarm clocks to wake them.
As he beat his drums, homes light up and some residents give him water, dates or a sandwich to thank him.
Ayoub said people are often surprised to see a Christian Musaharati, but he said he wants to unite the Christian and Muslim communities.
"For the past nine years, I have been a Musaharati because I want the Christians and Muslims to come together in the villages and towns. This is very good and positive for all the sects," Ayoub said.
During the holy month Muslims fast from dawn to dusk with the month culminating in the Eid al-Fitr celebration. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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