Military jets are to be used to wake up Muslims for their predawn meal during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan.
The Indonesian Air Force is to carry out early morning jet fighter training above a number of major cities to help rouse sleepy residents during the month-long fast which began earlier this week.
Low-flying F-16 and the T50i aircraft will fly over residential areas and pilots have been ordered to use afterburners, to create more noise.
Muslims are forbidden from eating or drinking between dawn and sunset during Ramadan – which runs until 4th June – so the predawn meal, known as ‘sahur’ is particularly important.
It was announced on Twitter that jet fighters would carry out early morning training over a number of cities on the island of Java, including Klaten, Surabaya, Sragen and Surakarta.
An air force spokesman said: “God willing, we will carry out the tradition to wake people up for sahur using fighter aircraft.”
Air Force spokesman Colonel Sus Yuris explained the missions were also designed to ensure pilots and back-up staff did not train too late in the day during Ramadan.
He added that medical experts advised that fighter pilots should train early in the day when they were fasting.
Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad.
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Story By: Simon Glover, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency:Asia Wire Report