Mohammad Boota, a Pakistani immigrant and percussionist, is New York City’s foremost — and perhaps only — Ramadan drummer.
A few hours before dawn during the holy month of Ramadan, drummers throughout the Muslim world take to the streets to wake the faithful in time for a meal before the daytime fast. Mohammad Boota introduced the ritual to the darkened streets of Brooklyn around 2002.
Drumming is a Boota family tradition: Mohammad Boota is a seventh-generation ceremonial drummer and is now training his 20-year-old son, Sher, one of eight children.
In addition to his Ramadan reveilles, Mohammad Boota plays at Pakistani weddings, birthday parties, graduation celebrations and other events.