Ever since my arrival in Besut, Malaysia in January,
the Malay people in my community have enthusiastically told me about the highly
anticipated Ramadhan. I had heard of Ramadhan before, but never did I think I
would have the unique opportunity to live within a community that honors and
recognizes this custom.
Ramadhan began on July 21st, and during
Ramadhan, Muslims all over the world fast daily from sunrise to sunset. They
call their fasting, “puasa,” and they fast to remind themselves that others are
not as fortunate as they are. This is a time of deep prayer, charity and
reflection for the Muslim community.
Ramadhan concludes after one lunar month, with the
sighting of a new moon. At that time, Muslims then celebrate Hari Raya Puasa.
Hari Raya Puasa is a festival that can take place for seven or more days, and
it is a time of joy and celebration after one month of fasting during Ramadhan.
Family and friends visit each other and every family usually hosts an open
house to invite friends and relatives to join in celebration.
As many people in my American hometown anxiously
prepare for Christmas during the Holiday Season, similar anticipation can be
experienced and witnessed as Muslims are busy buying new beautiful Hari Raya
clothes, ordering special desserts, preparing elaborate meals and doing all
they can to prepare for Hari Raya. In fact, during Hari Raya stores nationwide
host huge sales and promotions. Even the Starbucks in Kuala Lumpur run a “Buy
1, Get 1 on Us this Ramadhan” promotion, and include Hari Raya in their
advertisements stating, “Wishing you a safe journey this Hari Raya!” The cities
and larger towns of Malaysia are filled with traffic and heavy shopping crowds.
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| This is "Ayam Satay," which translate as chicken satay. It is delicious, seasoned chicken on a skewer that is grilled. It is my favorite Malay food, and it is especially popular for Hari Raya! |
Meanwhile, as I wait in anticipation to witness my
first Hari Raya, I can definitely sense the presence of Ramadhan currently
underway. All the restaurants that were once busy from morning to night, as
well as the school cafeteria are closed to honor the daily fasting. In
addition, my students are no longer sipping their juices and actively eating
their snacks during recess. Instead, they are napping. Moreover, the fields
that once were filled after school with boys playing soccer are now home to
wild dogs and cows grazing, as children are tired and resting after school.
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| Much work to be done at the Bazaar Ramadhan! |
However, while the town may seem sleepy, everyone can
be found at the local Bazaar Ramadhan buying food and ingredients for the
large, special family dinners they enjoy every night after the sun sets during
Ramadhan. In fact, my female students and female teachers prepare huge feasts
for their families everyday after school, and often they try new, special
Ramadhan recipes during this time. When the sun sets, usually around 7:30pm,
the town is absolutely empty as families are at home “buka puasa,” which means
“breaking fast.”
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| Bazaar Ramadhans are very busy with people buying foods and ingredients for their "buka puasa" meals! |
Personally, it has been an interesting experience to
be in the heart of an Islamic community during Ramadhan, and it is an
experience I could never have elsewhere. In Besut, Ramadhan may seem like a
calm, reflective time of sacrifice, but when Hari Raya arrives next weekend,
the town will ignite and explode with people, celebration and of course, food!
