Ramadan drum-beating is breach of human rights, Turkish say

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041106/323/f63gs.html

ANKARA (AFP) - The administration of a Turkish province has declared that a centuries-old tradition of pre-dawn drum-beating to wake Muslims up during the holy month of Ramadan is a breach of human rights and should be abandoned.

The Human Rights Board at the office of the governor of the southern Mersin province -- comprised of the governor, other senior local officials and civic groups -- said that drum-beating in the early hours of the day was disturbing for children as well as sick and working people.

The decision was made at a meeting called after several citizens lodged complaints with the board.

Under the tradition, volunteers stroll the streets at pre-dawn, loudly beating drums to wake believers up for a light meal, called "sahur," after which the day-long Ramadan fasting begins.

The province's top Muslim cleric has lent support to the move, saying that drum-beating is not a condition set by Islam, the Radikal daily reported.

"If drum-beating disturbs people, it should be stopped. Today, there are technological means" to wake people up, mufti Mazhar Bilgin was quoted as saying.

The recommendation of the board has been sent to local municipalities, which are to decide whether to heed it.

Respect for human rights has increasingly become a focus of attention in Turkey, a mainly Muslim but strictly secular nation, which is seeking to join the European Union.

Local administrations in three districts -- one in Istanbul and two in the touristic Mediterranean province of Antalya -- banned drum-beating during Ramadan this year, either because it caused "noise pollution" or disturbed non-Muslims, the Hurriyet daily said.