The Katara Mesahar began prowling the alleys and streets of the Cultural Village, walking around the area wearing uniform and beating his drum and chanting verses to alert people to have Suhoor in one of the oldest of Ramadan traditions.
Katara visitors welcomed the mesahar with great joy as many remembered the old days when he used to wander around local alleys and neighbourhoods banging his drum to wake people up as he sang local spiritual Ramadan songs for nearly two hours before dawn.
The Katara Mesahar arrives at 10pm escorted by a number of children and puppets as he sings popular verses from the old days such as: “Oh sleeping one, arise, wake up and be monotheistic to the one God” as well as other lyrics and songs praising the advent of the holy month of Ramadan in a peaceful and charming spiritual and traditional atmosphere.
Katara visitors expressed their happiness over attending true Ramadan evening activities including the mesahar show, saying that with technology taking over modern-day life, this deep-rooted Ramadan tradition is on the decline.
Today, television, mobiles and alarm clocks are fast replacing the job that a mesahar once did.