I have fasted for two days since Ramadan month started, although I am not Muslim. I don't have to introduce "Ramadan" because there are many explanations about fasting and Ramadan in Islam. However, I had not known time schedule of Ramadan month before I came to Malaysia. Furthermore, I noticed that the way in break fasting is a little bit different between Middle-eastern style and Malaysian style, so I would like to introduce it to review my experiences. Of course, this writing is my practice of English (actually, I should have written all of my writings in English though).
In Malaysia, Muslim people wake up at least at 5:30 a.m., then eat Sahur(سحور) although outside is still dark. The sunrise in Malaysia is around 7:00 a.m., so in my opinion 5:30 is not morning but night. They try to eat as possible as they can. As soon as they hear Azan, they stop eating and go to Masjid(mosque). After Salat Fajr (first prayer), some go to bed again and take a rest, while some prepare to go to workplace. In two days, I also woke up at 5:30 and ate Sahur. Then, I prayed by myself (because I believe in different religion), then went to bed again.
One of my friend has his own program and studies the Qur'an and English in day time. He tries to manage time effectively.
In IIUM (UIA), all workers don't have to take one hour lunch time in Ramadan month( needless to say, that is due to their fasting). Instead, they continue to work without taking a rest and try to finish their job. Of course, they have a time for Salat. The closing time of office was 5:30 p.m. in the last month, but now their closing time is 4:30 p.m. During daytime, all of the food court are closed.
Around 6:30 p.m., my friends invite me to buy our dinner and bring me to cafeteria in the university because the meal of the nearest cafeteria in my dorm is not good. One of my friends always fills in macaroni. Anyway, they buy a lot of food!!
Around 7:30 p.m., when we hear Azan for Salat magrib (prayer in sunset), they eat "tamr" (a kind of dates) and drink water. That is their "break fast." The reason why they eat tamr is in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. My friends who come from Middle-eastern countries eat tamr and drink before they go to Salat, then eat their dinner after their Salat. However, according to the lecturer in my belonged office, Malaysian people begin to eat their dinner as well as eat tamr and drink water. There is slight difference between both traditions.
Around 8:00 p.m., finally we can eat dinner, but they do not have enough time to enjoy it. This is because my friends depart for Salat isha (prayer in the night) thirty minutes later. That is why, they cram their dinner into their mouth. After isha, they are used to going to tarawih (تراويح) and pray 20 raka'at for around two hours (I respect their devotional exercise). About tarawih, please look at previous blog.
They come back to their room about 11:30, then they prepare the next day. My kind and devotional friends spend their Ramadan month with praying Allah as pious Muslim. I think I have excellent experiences although it is tough for non-Muslim to stay here in Ramadan month.
In Malaysia, Muslim people wake up at least at 5:30 a.m., then eat Sahur(سحور) although outside is still dark. The sunrise in Malaysia is around 7:00 a.m., so in my opinion 5:30 is not morning but night. They try to eat as possible as they can. As soon as they hear Azan, they stop eating and go to Masjid(mosque). After Salat Fajr (first prayer), some go to bed again and take a rest, while some prepare to go to workplace. In two days, I also woke up at 5:30 and ate Sahur. Then, I prayed by myself (because I believe in different religion), then went to bed again.
One of my friend has his own program and studies the Qur'an and English in day time. He tries to manage time effectively.
In IIUM (UIA), all workers don't have to take one hour lunch time in Ramadan month( needless to say, that is due to their fasting). Instead, they continue to work without taking a rest and try to finish their job. Of course, they have a time for Salat. The closing time of office was 5:30 p.m. in the last month, but now their closing time is 4:30 p.m. During daytime, all of the food court are closed.
Around 6:30 p.m., my friends invite me to buy our dinner and bring me to cafeteria in the university because the meal of the nearest cafeteria in my dorm is not good. One of my friends always fills in macaroni. Anyway, they buy a lot of food!!
Around 7:30 p.m., when we hear Azan for Salat magrib (prayer in sunset), they eat "tamr" (a kind of dates) and drink water. That is their "break fast." The reason why they eat tamr is in accordance with the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. My friends who come from Middle-eastern countries eat tamr and drink before they go to Salat, then eat their dinner after their Salat. However, according to the lecturer in my belonged office, Malaysian people begin to eat their dinner as well as eat tamr and drink water. There is slight difference between both traditions.
Around 8:00 p.m., finally we can eat dinner, but they do not have enough time to enjoy it. This is because my friends depart for Salat isha (prayer in the night) thirty minutes later. That is why, they cram their dinner into their mouth. After isha, they are used to going to tarawih (تراويح) and pray 20 raka'at for around two hours (I respect their devotional exercise). About tarawih, please look at previous blog.
