Ahead of Ramadan, Indonesian Ulema Council Urges Sahur Wake-Up Calls Not to Disturb Others
The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has urged Muslims to wake others for sahur in a considerate manner during the month of Ramadan 2026, stating that the tradition must take into account the conditions of the wider community.
"I urge the public to continue the tradition of waking one another for sahur. However, in large cities, the density of the population — not all of whom are fasting — should perhaps be taken into consideration," said MUI Deputy Chairman Kiai Cholil Nafis to reporters on Tuesday (17 February 2026).
He called for loudspeakers to be used only when necessary and in a prudent manner.
"Therefore, wake people for sahur around the pre-dawn period, but there is no need to blast speakers at full volume and disturb others. Use loudspeakers only as needed and at the appropriate times," he explained.
Cholil said sahur wake-up calls should ideally be carried out in stages with intervals between them, emphasising the importance of maintaining residents' comfort.
"For instance, begin at 03.30 Western Indonesian Time for the communal wake-up call, then follow up at 04.00 and 04.30. But it should not be continuous with loud speakers disturbing others," he explained.
Cholil also urged that the manner of waking people for sahur should be in accordance with Islamic teachings. He said the tradition of going around neighbourhoods to rouse people must not cause disturbance to others.
"With regard to those who walk around waking people, attention must also be paid to conformity with Islamic teachings — one must not disturb others. The customs employed should not depart from the Islamic framework, such as men dressing as women or women dressing as men, which is not advisable. One should adhere to Islamic law and ethics," he said.
"I urge the public to continue the tradition of waking one another for sahur. However, in large cities, the density of the population — not all of whom are fasting — should perhaps be taken into consideration," said MUI Deputy Chairman Kiai Cholil Nafis to reporters on Tuesday (17 February 2026).
He called for loudspeakers to be used only when necessary and in a prudent manner.
"Therefore, wake people for sahur around the pre-dawn period, but there is no need to blast speakers at full volume and disturb others. Use loudspeakers only as needed and at the appropriate times," he explained.
Cholil said sahur wake-up calls should ideally be carried out in stages with intervals between them, emphasising the importance of maintaining residents' comfort.
"For instance, begin at 03.30 Western Indonesian Time for the communal wake-up call, then follow up at 04.00 and 04.30. But it should not be continuous with loud speakers disturbing others," he explained.
Cholil also urged that the manner of waking people for sahur should be in accordance with Islamic teachings. He said the tradition of going around neighbourhoods to rouse people must not cause disturbance to others.
"With regard to those who walk around waking people, attention must also be paid to conformity with Islamic teachings — one must not disturb others. The customs employed should not depart from the Islamic framework, such as men dressing as women or women dressing as men, which is not advisable. One should adhere to Islamic law and ethics," he said.