Ramadhan commercialised?
Pouncing on the quarry: Whereas in rural areas people fasting probably lose weight during Ramadhan, in the cities many people actually gain weight through overeating. Pictures: Liz Price
© Liz Price
KUALA LUMPUR
KUALA LUMPUR
Sunday, September 7, 2008
I SPENT my childhood years in my native England and went to a Christian school. During religious education classes we were taught about different religions. But I had no contact with people of other faith during those days.
My first encounter with Ramadhan was a bit of a shock. I was participating in an expedition in Morocco and we were on our way to North Africa, having driven through France and Spain from England. When we arrived at the southern Spanish port of Algeciras to catch the ferry to Morocco, we found hundreds of vehicles parked outside the ferry terminal.
There was no way we could enter the terminal and we soon realised that the vehicles outside were actually part of a mammoth queue. After some time we realised that it was a day or two before Eid, and all the people were trying to return to their homes in Morocco for the end of Ramadhan festivities. That was my first experience of Ramadhan.
Once we reached Morocco, as we were on an expedition we were self-sufficient in terms of food and accommodation, so the fact that it was Eid did not affect us, and we saw no signs of the celebrations. That was in 1976.
Since those days I have travelled in many Muslim countries and have come to learn a lot about Ramadhan. My next real close encounters with Ramadhan were in Indonesia when I was backpacking there in the late 1980s. Travelling by bus during the day time wasn't too much of a problem, as Muslims are allowed to break their fast if they are doing long journeys. However I did feel awkward if I wanted to eat snacks on the bus and generally tried to avoid doing this, out of respect for the fasting travellers.
The worst part for me was the noisy nights and the fact I never got a good night's sleep. I generally stayed in cheap losmens and guesthouses, and often the walls were paper thin and sounds really carried. In the early hours every morning I was awoken by the sounds for Suhoor. People getting up and taking their morning bath, then the noise from the kitchen as the food was prepared, followed by the sounds of people partaking of the predawn meal. And then there was the call to prayer.
Now I am living in Malaysia, and am well used to Ramadhan. As Malaysia is a multi-racial country, the fasting month doesn't directly affect me, as around 30 to 40 per cent of the population is not Muslim. It is not a problem to eat out during the day as restaurants stay open for those who are not abstaining.
I know Ramadhan is not only about fasting, but as a non-Muslim, that is the side I tend to know more about. In Malaysia many street stalls open in the afternoon selling a tempting array of all kinds of cooked foods. Although it's normal to have a weekly pasar malam or night market in towns, the Ramadhan stalls are every day and sell a bigger variety of food.
Old ladies appear selling all sorts of temptations that you don't normally throughout the year at the markets. And I have to admit I always overbuy as my eyes are bigger than my stomach. With the foods being freshly cooked they smell so good, and I admire the Muslims who are able to buy these goodies yet resist the temptation of eating them until it is time to break fast.
Another thing I respect is the fact that before the call to break fast, Muslims will go to restaurants and order their food, so it is ready for them when the call comes. For me it would be torture to sit in front of hot food after a long day of fasting, yet not be able to touch it for another few minutes. Obviously their faith helps them and overcomes the inducement of taking a mouthful.
In Kuala Lumpur and other cities, hotels and restaurants outdo each other with their Ramadhan buffets. They try to offer bigger and better spreads than their rivals. The newspapers are full of adverts from establishments offering their buffets. These feasts are not cheap, and each year the cost increases.
There is some criticism by both Muslims and non-Muslims that as this is the holy month, should so much money be spent on these expensive commercial buffets. It is rather hypocritical that Muslims fast all day as required by the rules of Islam, but knowing that they will be able to enjoy a lavish buffet that evening. So although they spend the day practicing self-discipline and sacrifice, and have time to think of those who are less fortunate, by the evening this is largely forgotten as they sit down to another big feast. Whereas in rural areas people fasting probably lose weight during Ramadhan, in the cities many people actually gain weight through overeating at night.
The other commercialism I see is the increase in people buying new clothes and textiles and decorations for the home. This seems to be standard practice in Asia and isn't confined to Muslims for Eid, as Chinese do the same thing for Chinese New Year and Indians for Deepavali. Whereas in England for Christmas we never spent money on the house, nor did we buy new clothes, instead we spent money on presents for family and friends.
As a non-Muslim living in the capital city of a Muslim country, I do tend to see the more commercial sides of Ramadhan. However I know that many of my Muslim friends are observing the other tenets of Islam during this holy month.
The Brunei Times
My first encounter with Ramadhan was a bit of a shock. I was participating in an expedition in Morocco and we were on our way to North Africa, having driven through France and Spain from England. When we arrived at the southern Spanish port of Algeciras to catch the ferry to Morocco, we found hundreds of vehicles parked outside the ferry terminal.
There was no way we could enter the terminal and we soon realised that the vehicles outside were actually part of a mammoth queue. After some time we realised that it was a day or two before Eid, and all the people were trying to return to their homes in Morocco for the end of Ramadhan festivities. That was my first experience of Ramadhan.
Once we reached Morocco, as we were on an expedition we were self-sufficient in terms of food and accommodation, so the fact that it was Eid did not affect us, and we saw no signs of the celebrations. That was in 1976.
Since those days I have travelled in many Muslim countries and have come to learn a lot about Ramadhan. My next real close encounters with Ramadhan were in Indonesia when I was backpacking there in the late 1980s. Travelling by bus during the day time wasn't too much of a problem, as Muslims are allowed to break their fast if they are doing long journeys. However I did feel awkward if I wanted to eat snacks on the bus and generally tried to avoid doing this, out of respect for the fasting travellers.
The worst part for me was the noisy nights and the fact I never got a good night's sleep. I generally stayed in cheap losmens and guesthouses, and often the walls were paper thin and sounds really carried. In the early hours every morning I was awoken by the sounds for Suhoor. People getting up and taking their morning bath, then the noise from the kitchen as the food was prepared, followed by the sounds of people partaking of the predawn meal. And then there was the call to prayer.
Now I am living in Malaysia, and am well used to Ramadhan. As Malaysia is a multi-racial country, the fasting month doesn't directly affect me, as around 30 to 40 per cent of the population is not Muslim. It is not a problem to eat out during the day as restaurants stay open for those who are not abstaining.
I know Ramadhan is not only about fasting, but as a non-Muslim, that is the side I tend to know more about. In Malaysia many street stalls open in the afternoon selling a tempting array of all kinds of cooked foods. Although it's normal to have a weekly pasar malam or night market in towns, the Ramadhan stalls are every day and sell a bigger variety of food.
Old ladies appear selling all sorts of temptations that you don't normally throughout the year at the markets. And I have to admit I always overbuy as my eyes are bigger than my stomach. With the foods being freshly cooked they smell so good, and I admire the Muslims who are able to buy these goodies yet resist the temptation of eating them until it is time to break fast.
Another thing I respect is the fact that before the call to break fast, Muslims will go to restaurants and order their food, so it is ready for them when the call comes. For me it would be torture to sit in front of hot food after a long day of fasting, yet not be able to touch it for another few minutes. Obviously their faith helps them and overcomes the inducement of taking a mouthful.
In Kuala Lumpur and other cities, hotels and restaurants outdo each other with their Ramadhan buffets. They try to offer bigger and better spreads than their rivals. The newspapers are full of adverts from establishments offering their buffets. These feasts are not cheap, and each year the cost increases.
There is some criticism by both Muslims and non-Muslims that as this is the holy month, should so much money be spent on these expensive commercial buffets. It is rather hypocritical that Muslims fast all day as required by the rules of Islam, but knowing that they will be able to enjoy a lavish buffet that evening. So although they spend the day practicing self-discipline and sacrifice, and have time to think of those who are less fortunate, by the evening this is largely forgotten as they sit down to another big feast. Whereas in rural areas people fasting probably lose weight during Ramadhan, in the cities many people actually gain weight through overeating at night.
The other commercialism I see is the increase in people buying new clothes and textiles and decorations for the home. This seems to be standard practice in Asia and isn't confined to Muslims for Eid, as Chinese do the same thing for Chinese New Year and Indians for Deepavali. Whereas in England for Christmas we never spent money on the house, nor did we buy new clothes, instead we spent money on presents for family and friends.
As a non-Muslim living in the capital city of a Muslim country, I do tend to see the more commercial sides of Ramadhan. However I know that many of my Muslim friends are observing the other tenets of Islam during this holy month.
The Brunei Times
Your observation is quite correct. Muslims in the city are rich and they can afford the luxury. In short it is 2 months of happy eating.
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised the paper didn't censor my writing, but surprisingly they left it more or less intact. Maybe they themselves know it has become such a commercial month.
ReplyDelete