Riding a decorated motorbike and wearing a suit, Shaaban, 50-ish, is putting a new twist to an old ritual for the holy fasting month of Ramadan.
It is customary during this holy month to hear (and perhaps see) someone beating a drum through the pre-dawn streets to awaken the faithful for sohour, the last meal before start of a day of fasting.
Residents and tourists say the new style of musahherati brings joy to this spiritual atmosphere time.
Shaaban also gives out lanterns to then children as foreign and Egyptian tourists take selfies with him.
In Egypt, the musahherati (an Arabic term based on the root sohour with the Turkish suffix -ti denoting a profession) roam through residential neighborhoods shortly before the dawn prayer, waking people up for the pre-dawn meal.
Loudspeakers, drums, whistles and hand-claps are heard, and drummers sing in loudly to draw attention to their presence.
The songs sung by Ramadan drummers are considered an important element of Egyptian folklore, reflecting daily life, customs and traditions.
The first Ramadan drummer was Bilal bin Rabah, who, at the request of the Prophet (PBUH), was chosen for his melodious voice.
Sometimes the drummers receive tips. Why rely on an alarm clock when the musahherati does a sterling job with the propsect of a reward in Heavenly?
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