Ramadhan Is Here Once Again

Ramadhan Is Here Once Again

Today marks the first day of the holy month of Ramadhan, which to most people, well at least to Malaysians, is more commonly called as the fasting month. "Bulan puasa" as most Malaysians would fondly call it. I'm not sure if it's unique only in Malaysia, the month of Ramadhan would also see the mushrooming of evening markets, or Ramadhan markets as we call it, where you can find varieties of food and delicacies for the breaking of fast. I'm telling you, being at the Ramadhan market with a hungry tummy can be quite hazardous to your health, physically and financially. Which is why I think it is important for Muslims to remember that Ramadhan is not just about the fasting, but it is also about controlling your wants and desires. It's a time for curing and enriching of the soul. It's a time to renew the vow that we've made on new year's eve to become a better person.

Anyhow, I'll leave the preaching to someone else more qualified to do that. I just felt like since I'm talking about the holy month, it is necessary for me to talk about the gist and its significance in summary. The words above apply to me more than anyone else, anyway...

Every Ramadhan, I can't help getting nostalgic and reminisce about the Ramadhans of the past. Here are 2 of the Ramadhans that plays in my memory the most:

1985

I was 8. My family and I spent a good 3 weeks of the fasting month that year in Pittsburgh, USA as my father was attending a 3 months course there. I only managed to fast for a day while I was there. It was tough, as it was the summer season at the time. Breaking fast was close to 9pm, and my brother who was 5 was a lil devil in disguise and kept tempting me with food and snacks that he was having, since he was deemed too young to fast. I managed to convince my parents that perhaps I was too, and didn't fast the next day. Then I became a lil devil myself and tempted my older sister's perseverance in turn. She managed 3 more days than I did.

1995

I was 18, and I was studying my A-Levels in an English public school in Oxford, UK. It was my first Ramadhan without the company of my family. And even more significant, it was my first experience of Ramadhan where Muslims were a minority. There were only 4 of us Muslims in that school. The first few days were a bit challenging, as I wasn't able to get proper food for sahur. Until my matron noticed this and informed the school kitchen to do something about it, after which I was having lamb chops almost every morning.

Ramadhan came about around winter time in those days, so we had it very easy. Breaking of fast came about around 4pm, so effectively we were fasting about 3 hours less, and in a much cooler climate. I remember when Ramadhan coincided with our term break, I would sometimes go back to sleep after Fajr prayers and wake up around 2 for Zuhur, and by the time I was fully awake around 4, it was time for breaking of fast. Those were the days...

Here's to a blessed Ramadhan to everyone.