Non-Muslims must be saying, “What?! Give up food from sunrise to sunset?! Is this the ultimate diet plan?” For Muslims, this month of prayers and thanksgiving to God for sustaining them throughout their fast purifies their heart and soul. To further emphasize the purifying aspect, it is said Muslim are to abstain from drinking, smoking and having sex during the fasting period and throughout the month. Children are not required to fast, but they are often trained from young to increase their endurance. They start by skipping one meal a day during the fasting month.

Another reason for fasting is for everyone, especially the wealthy, to understand the difficult conditions a poor person or a destitute goes through. At the end of Ramadan, special efforts are made to contribute alms to the poor.

To sustain them throughout the day, Muslims would have a light simple meal (sahur) before sunrise. After the meal, they would either head to the mosque or perform the morning prayer (solat subuh). After sunset, fasting ends with a meal (iftar). Iftar is marked by the call to prayer and you will know from listening to the radio or the nearest mosque announcing it. There is no need to constantly stick your head out of the window to see if the sun has set. Muslims often break their fast by eating a date, as Prophet Muhammad was said to have done so. During Ramadan, many dates are on sale. (We’re not talking about desperate singles here!) Special congregational prayers are performed during Ramadan nights. Muslims can perform them in the mosque and even void decks of flats for those who live too far from the mosque.

All that fasting pays off when Hari Raya Puasa rolls in. How to tell it's Hari Raya time? For the astronomical buffs, it is on the first day of the “Syawal” – the tenth month in the Islamic calendar or after 30 days of fasting, act like a werewolf and look out for the new moon.

On the last few days of Ramadan, you'll find families doing a serious bout of spring cleaning and baking. On Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims don their best clothes, have breakfast and perform special prayers. After that, they embark on a continuous flow of visiting the homes of friends and families. Usually the younger generation of the family visits the older generation. Without fail, every household would have a continuous flow of food and snacks so after all that weight lost during fasting is easily replaced.

Singapore, during the period leading up to Hari Raya Puasa, becomes very colourful. Muslim homes have coloured lights hanging outside their windows. Places with large Malay and Muslim communities often hold night bazaars, or also known as pasar malam. Every year, Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai are packed with stalls selling a wide range of items, from local Malay delights to the latest fashion items to be worn during Hari Raya Puasa.

Done By (WITH MORE LOVE UH!) :
Siti Khatijah. (25)