The Sehri siren is sounded just before Sehri ends at Fajr, and the Iftar siren is sounded at Maghrib, the moment of sunset. Together they are the most important sounds a masjid makes in Ramadan after the azan itself. This guide explains when each one is sounded, how masjids keep the timing accurate, and how to make sure your siren never fails on the day it is needed.
The Sehri siren
Sehri (Suhoor) is the pre-dawn meal. The fast begins at Subh Sadiq, true dawn, which is also the start of Fajr time. The Sehri siren tells the neighbourhood that this moment has arrived and eating and drinking must stop.
Many masjids use the siren twice at night:
- A wake-up siren an hour or so before Sehri ends, so families have time to prepare and eat.
- The closing siren a few minutes before or at the end of Sehri.
The exact practice varies from city to city and masjid to masjid. Always follow the timetable announced by your local masjid committee.
The Iftar siren
Iftar is the meal that opens the fast at Maghrib, at sunset. The Iftar siren is probably the most eagerly awaited sound of the day: families sitting with dates and water wait for it, and it carries further and faster than any message.
Because sunset time changes by about a minute every day or two, the Iftar siren time changes through the month. That is why a daily timetable matters.
How masjids keep the timing right
- Use a local timetable. Sehri and Iftar times depend on your city’s latitude and longitude. Our Ramadan Calendar 2027 gives calculated times for 16 Indian cities.
- Agree on one clock. Set the masjid clock against network time before Ramadan begins, and use the same clock for the azan and the siren.
- Assign a person for each siren. At 4 a.m. there is no time to figure out switches. One button is ideal.
- Plan for power cuts. Sehri is when power cuts often happen. The siren and the amplifier should both run on the inverter.
Why the siren fails, and how to avoid it
When a masjid siren fails in Ramadan, it is usually for the same reasons: a motor that has seized after a year on the roof, wiring damaged by rain, or a power cut that the inverter cannot carry because the motor draws around 2,200 watts. Fixing any of these means someone climbing the terrace or the minar, often in the middle of the night.
The ABR e-Siren was designed to remove these failure points. It is an electronic siren that stays indoors next to your amplifier, has no motor, draws under 5 watts and runs on your inverter or UPS. One red button sounds the Hi-Lo wail through every horn on your minar. Learn more about how an electronic siren works.
A simple Ramadan siren routine
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Before Ramadan | Connect the siren to the amplifier and test it. Check the inverter. Print the timetable for your city. |
| Every night | Wake-up siren (if your masjid uses one), then the Sehri siren at the agreed time. |
| Every evening | Iftar siren at Maghrib. |
| After Eid | Leave it connected. The e-Siren needs no servicing before next Ramadan. |
Roza siren in Hindi and Urdu speaking areas
You will hear it called the roza siren, sehri ka siren, iftar ka siren or simply the Ramzan siren. Whatever the name, the job is the same: one clear, recognisable sound at the right second, every day for 29 or 30 days.
Get your masjid ready for Ramadan 2027
Ramadan 1448 AH is expected to begin around 8–9 February 2027 in India, subject to moon sighting. Read Ramadan 2027 dates for details, then order early so you can test before the first Roza. The ABR e-Siren costs ₹4,000.
Order the ABR e-Siren · ₹4,000 WhatsApp 8500536007When is the Sehri siren sounded?
Masjids sound the Sehri siren shortly before Sehri ends at Fajr (true dawn), so people stop eating and drinking in time. Many masjids also sound a wake-up siren earlier in the night. Follow your local masjid's timetable.
When is the Iftar siren sounded?
The Iftar siren is sounded at Maghrib, the moment of sunset, when the fast is opened.
How long should the Iftar siren play?
Most masjids sound the siren for under a minute. The ABR e-Siren is operated with one button, so the person on duty controls exactly how long it plays.
Can the same siren be used for Sehri and Iftar?
Yes. The ABR e-Siren is used for both, and for the rest of the year it simply stays connected to the amplifier, ready for the next Ramadan.
