[PHOTOS] Dying tradition of kejut sahur, kept alive in Balakong’s Taman Setia
Over 300 residents join in to wake family, friends for Ramadan predawn meals
Updated 3 years ago · Published on 07 Apr 2023 8:00AM
Residents of Taman Setia, Balakong congregate in the wee hours of the morning to ensure that Muslims in their community face a day of fasting with a properly filled stomach by waking them up for sahur, complete with the accompaniment of traditional percussion instruments. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023
by Abd Razak Latif
KUALA LUMPUR – More than 300 residents in Taman Setia, Balakong, including the young, were in for a pleasant surprise when they were woken up with kejut sahur (predawn meal wake-up call).
Kejut sahur is a tradition where a group of villagers will wake their neighbours to have a meal early in the morning before fasting for the day.
It typically takes place an hour or two before the start of the day’s fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.
Aside from encouraging Muslims to have their sahur meals, it also aims to foster neighbourliness and friendships.
During the routine, participants would shout “bangun sahur” (wake for sahur), accompanied by rebana and kompang as well as the recitations of selawat.
According to Taman Setia residents, they have been observing this tradition since the times of their great-grandfathers.
Excitement builds as early as 3.30am as many get ready to go on their kejut sahur rounds. – The Vibes, April 7, 2023
Although not a must, the kejut sahur, or sahur wake-up calls for Muslims to have their predawn meal is a unique tradition that is slowly dying, especially among the current generation. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023This unique Ramadan tradition has been very popular with villagers since the 80s, regardless of age. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023Besides waking up the neighbourhood to ensure that they have their sahur or predawn meal to prepare them for a day of fasting, this community activity also brings people together and boosts communal spirit. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023 Traditionally, kejut sahur takes place every day during Ramadan, around one to two hours before subuh (dawn) prayers start – which is when Muslims start fasting. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023The call to bangun sahur (wake up for sahur) is generally accompanied by the rebana and kompang (traditional percussion instruments) and selawat (salutations) upon Prophet Muhammad. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023The Ramadan tradition continues to be practiced by the residents of Taman Setia, Balakong, Cheras. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023According to the residents, kejut sahur is a tradition inherited from ancestors three to four generations ago. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023Every household in the residence participates in the activity to ensure that the tradition is not consumed by time and modernity. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023Even nowadays, many youths participate in the kejut sahur tradition. The atmosphere in the area will start to get lively as early as 3.30am with people waking up family members and friends to eat. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023Someone will be assigned to call out ‘bangun sahur’, while some have the task of playing the rebana and kompang, and others join in to liven up the atmosphere and celebrate this year’s gathering. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023Hopefully, with the current spirit and awareness, the kejut sahur tradition will live on in the future. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, April 7, 2023
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