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Traditions of Ramadan and Iftar in Neighboring Countries
Kuala Lumpur, Kominfo Newsroom – Ramadan bazaars and iftar gatherings in a large field are activities people in Malaysia look forward to when the holy month arrives.
“Ramadan Bazaar always takes place [every year]. The one on Raja Alang Street has been occurring for a long time; it's always crowded every year. The visitors come from everywhere," said an Indonesian citizen (WNI) from East Java, Tahsis Ansori, in Kuala Lumpur, Monday (17/4/2023).
The Ramadan bazaar, according to him, does not only exist on Raja Alang Street, Kampung Baru. He opined that dozens of similar activities would unite sellers of juadah or takjil with buyers in Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings.
However, the Indonesian migrant worker who has worked in Malaysia for 30 years said the Ramadhan Bazaar on Raja Alang Street is one of the oldest because it already existed around the 1960s.
"Everything is available. You can find any food there," said Takhsis, trying to explain the many types of food and drinks offered at each Ramadan bazaar.
Some foods are similar to what is in Indonesia, such as egg martabak, bamboo putu, and pelita flour cakes made from rice flour and taste almost the same as marrow porridge. The difference between these foods is only in the type of sugar used.
Not only ordinary people come to the Ramadan bazaar, but also the King of Malaysia, Yang at Pertuan Agong Al Sultan Abdullah, and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim several times visited the Ramadan Bazaar in the country.
On Saturday (15/4/2023), Sultan Abdullah visited the Mahkota Square Ramadan bazaar in Kuantan, Pahang State's capital. He and his wife had iftar with the people at Padang Majilis Bandaraya Kuantan.
Breaking the fast in the vast meadow together is also one of the traditions during Ramadan in Malaysia. The location that is crowded with residents in Kuala Lumpur to break their fast together is Dataran Merdeka.
People from various areas in Kuala Lumpur and its surroundings will spread mats or cushions and bring food to break their fast with their families and friends in the meadow.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia (KJRI) Johor Bahru also held several iftar gatherings, alternately inviting their counterparts. This activity is undoubtedly in line with the theme of the Chairperson of ASEAN Indonesia 2023, which is realizing ASEAN as a world growth center.
The Indonesian Consul General in Johor Bahru, Sigit S Widiyanto, said the activity was a form of hospitality and brotherhood among ASEAN peoples during Ramadan. It is also aimed at maintaining good relations with their partners in various sectors in their working area, namely Johor, Melaka, Pahang, and Negeri Sembilan.
Therefore, according to him, Iftar gatherings at the Indonesian Consulate in Johor Bahru are held several times during Ramadan. Last Sunday (9/4/2023), they also broke their fast with partners in the socio-cultural, economic, and trade sectors to the mass media.
The activity is, of course, also participated by Indonesian citizens in Malaysia. Chairman of the Special Branch of Muhammadiyah in Malaysia (PCIM), Muhammad Ali Imran, said that they carry out various special activities during Ramadan, from breaking the fast to Tarawih prayers in the congregation.
Muhammadiyah members in three different locations in Kuala Lumpur also carry out tarawih prayers regularly every day during Ramadan. While the recitation or Inspiration Studies are held on weekends with different speakers. (Virna/Elvira/TR)
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Photo caption: Ramadan Bazaar on Raja Alang Street, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday (29/3/2023). (ANTARA/Virna P Setyorini)
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