Assallamu Alaikum –
I am reporting from Singapore – South East Asia. I am currently spending my Ramadan in my home country with family and friends.
A little bit about Singapore, firstly it is an island snuggled between Malaysia and Indonesia (see map). The island has an estimated population of 5.3 million of which 14.5% are Muslims. The majority of the population are Buddhist which makes Muslims living in Singapore a minority.
As Muslims are the minority population, life goes on normally in Ramadan..school, work etc. We fast for about 14 hours from 5:35 am to 7:25 pm consistently as we are located near the equator time changes are too applicable.
As a child, I used to send my grandma’s homemade Iftar dishes to neighbors, this increased the variety of of Iftar spread on our table through the exchange of dishes. But sadly, due to an increasingly busy lifestyle and the demolishing of kampungs or villages, this custom rarely exists these days.
Life in Singapore has become so hectic even when I was living here. (Currently, I reside outside of Singapore) – I remember during that time, many days my husband and I would break fast in the car while driving home from work. My nieces and nephews would drop by at mosques to partake in Iftar with their parents to save time.
Children as young as 5 or 7 are encouraged to fast.. half or full day according to their ability. They are rewarded with their favorite dishes for Iftar and toys or money at the end of Ramadan.
Nevertheless, there are still mixed receptions to having young children in mosques. Despite the increasing number of parents bringing young children to attend Iftar and Taraweh prayers, there are still a minority of Jemaah who are not open to embracing this concept chiding children and parents alike for disrupting their prayers. A few mosques have been accommodating to provide creche service during their Taraweh prayers.
In recent years, in a bid to foster racial harmony and promote greater understanding of Islam, mosques have invited non Muslims to participate in Iftar.
For busy working mums who prefer to breakfast at home, they can get special Ramadan catering services or select from variety of food stalls that appear seasonally in Ramadan. These bazaars are spread throughout this tiny Island. These bazaars which may begin a few days before the actual fasting month and last t throughout the month of Ramadan not only cater for Iftar dishes but also clothes and accessories for Eid and decorative household items from curtains, carpets to artificial flowers
In recent years, in a bid to foster racial harmony and promote interfaith understanding, there has been a move by some mosques to invite non Muslims to participate in Iftar.
My family & I wish you all a blessed Ramadan.
Wassallam from Singapore, Singapore.
