In Malaysia, as in all countries of the Islamic world, Ramadan comes and seasons of goodness, joy and communication come, and the true spirit of Islam is mixed with the authentic Malay customs and traditions.
The Corona pandemic has clearly affected the ceremonies of the holy month, and the precautionary measures imposed by the authorities have limited many traditions that are held during Ramadan, in the interest of the public interest.
Last Shaban dinner
Preparations for the month of Ramadan start from the end of Shaban, when Malaysians hold dinner banquets on the last night before the holy month, families gather together, and pray to God Almighty to inform them of fasting and worship during Ramadan, and the streets are decorated and lit to celebrate the blessed month.
The most famous Ramadan dish in Malaysia is Popper Lambo soup, which is cooked and distributed daily to people as it is cooked in many mosques for distribution to worshipers (Al Jazeera)
Bubur lambou soup
Popper Lambo soup is one of the most important rituals in the month of Ramadan in Malaysia, as large pots of it are prepared and distributed to people, and residents prepare it at home to distribute it, and it is also prepared and cooked in many mosques to be distributed to worshipers at breakfast.
Among the most famous mosques that offer the dish is the Kampong Barry Mosque in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. About 20 barrels of this soup are distributed daily, and prepared by the workers at the mosque.
Popper Lambo is a dense soup made of rice, coconut milk, meat, dried shrimp, garlic and spices. Preparation for it begins at 8 am, and it begins to be distributed to people after the afternoon to be their food for breakfast.
Dakambung Baru Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars of the capital, Kuala Lumpur, which has been held since the 1950s (the island)
Ramadam Basar
It is considered one of the ancient Malaysian traditions, and the participants in the bazaar start preparing for it from the month of Sha`ban, and these bazaars are spread all over Malaysia.
Speaking to Al Jazeera Net, one of the participants, Muhammad Firdaws, explains that bazaars are an old tradition for Malaysians, and include many stalls selling various food coming from all states of the country.
Preparing to participate in the bazaar starts from the month of Sha`ban, and these bazaars are spread all over Malaysia (the island)
He added that going to the bazaars is one of the activities that families or friends in Malaysia undertake, and it is a kind of enjoying the special atmosphere of Ramadan.
The bazaars bring together Malaysians of different cultures, beliefs and sects, not just Muslims, as Ferdous explains. "There is mutual respect between us, as non-Muslims are our friends who respect our rituals in this holy month."
One of the oldest of these bazaars in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, is the Dakampung Baru Bazaar, which has been held since the 1950s, and is a well-known shrine to state officials, politicians and famous artists and intellectuals.
At the time of Corona, residents follow the instructions and procedures for establishing these bazaars in accordance with the medical protocol in the country, as the time for the bazaar is determined from 3 pm to 8 pm, and each participant must obtain a government license, in addition to a medical examination and wearing a mask.
Tourist appearance and visiting Suhoor
The Malaysian Ministry of Tourism provides support to these bazaars as a manifestation of tourism in the country, and the Ministry has also launched the (Suhour visit) project, through which food is provided to orphans and the poor.
Various flavors in the Ramadan Bazaar reflecting different Malaysian cultures (Al-Jazeera)
Mosque breakfasts
Many Malaysian families gather in the mosques just before sunset to eat breakfast, and at breakfast time they serve dates and some refreshing juices such as sirap bandung soda, which is a mixture of rose water, milk and soda ice.
People are also keen to make donations in kind as well as donate food and bring it to the mosque, and they continue to stay in the mosques until evening prayers and taraweeh prayers, as donors provide a snack of food in the mosque’s yard, which they call Moorah.
Malaysians also love very much to welcome people at home during Ramadan to have Iftar, even from non-Muslims.
Sessions for studying the Noble Qur’an during the blessed month of Ramadan in a mosque in Malaysia (Al Jazeera)
Male rings
In Ramadan, Malaysians are keen to study the Qur’an, and they meet in dhikr circles in homes and mosques to recite the Holy Qur’an, and they hold many competitions for children, especially Eid songs, and they are interested in competitions for memorizing and reciting the Qur’an.
Celebrating Eid throughout the month of Shawwal
At the end of Ramadan, they prepare dessert dishes in preparation for the blessed Eid Al Fitr, and thus begins another season that is no less important in their lives, which is the celebration of Eid throughout the month of Shawwal.