#JendelaRamadan: Fasting overseas, these are our stories

Malaysians fasting overseas experience a different set of challenges. Apart from being away from family and the vibrant Ramadan atmosphere at home, they face other challenges such as different weather conditions, a longer fasting period in summer, and a smaller Muslim community.

This was some of the views shared during a Google Hangout session hosted by Astro AWANI, which focused on observing Ramadan worldwide.

Singer-songwriter Imran Ajmain, of Malay, Indonesian and Dutch parentage shared his experience of fasting in the Netherlands.

He said, during summer, the subuh prayers is between 3am to 3.30am while iftar is at 10pm.

“For the Islamic calendar, if Ramadan falls during winter, then it is a shorter fasting period with a cooler weather. I consider it as a ‘gift’ for those living in the colder climate.

"The summer is only 24 to 25 degrees celsius but the difference is that the weather is dry and we are not familiar with the low humidity," said Imran.

He added that Ramadan is made vibrant thanks to the big Middle Eastern community in the Netherlands.

"They are from Algeria and Morocco. The Ramadan bazaar is operated by them. We may look for something that’s spicy or with carbohydrates, but all the food there is to be eaten with bread,” he said.

As for medical student Nadhirah Babji, this is her fourth year in Davangere, India. She said the Muslim population there consisted of 1000 people of which 200 were Malaysians. They are considered a minority community.

Nadirah a student of the Jayadeva Jagadguru Murugarajendra Medical College said that Malaysian students there often hosted potluck gathering whereby they brought their own meal to be shared and break fast together.

"We also meet locals who can speak English. For example, we know an uncle who works as a driver. Once a week, he would invite us to his house. From there we can see how the locals observe Ramadan and break their fast.

"Be ready with a big stomach as there are plenty of food. When you are full, they will add more and more food,” she shared.

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Anas Ridhwan Fauzi, a civil engineering student at Niigata University in Niigata, Japan, said it was his second year fasting there.

"Subuh prayer is at 2.10am and iftar is at 7.10pm. In Japan, we fast for about 16 to 17 hours based on where we are. Japan is not an Islamic country so the Ramadan atmosphere is not felt here.

"The Islamic community here is quite big. Here, there are 22 Muslim students from Malaysia, and also Muslim students from Bangladesh, Arab, Indonesia and other countries as well," he said.

He also said since the Malaysian students live separately, they only meet once a week for iftar.

READ: Seven hearty and quick ideas for suhoor

Meanwhile, over in England, Siti Nor Effadila Su'aif said it was a longer fasting period as they are currently experiencing the summer season.

As it was her first time fasting there, the Master of Arts (Applied Linguistics) student at the University of Sheffield admitted that she missed her suhoor, which was a big challenge for her through out the day.

"We fast from 2.30am until 9.40pm. If you do not take your suhoor, you’re in for a challenge. I was lucky because classes are over so I do not have to travel to and from classes, so I do not get tired," she said.

Siti Nor Effadila said that despite being away from where the majority of Malaysian students and Muslim communities, purchasing halal food from the butchery and supermarket is not a problem.

"This weekend, the society of Malaysian students organised a Ramadan bazaar. While it is not as big as compared to Malaysia, but it is enough for Malaysian students who miss the Ramadan bazaar experience back home,” she said.

INFOGRAPHIC: Fasting in a nutshell

Wan Emir Astar, a postgraduate architecture student at Kingston University, is experiencing his third year fasting in London.

He said that fasting abroad provides a more meaningful experience.

“It became the best experience of my life. Fasting here gives me a different insight and different dimension in my spiritual journey. In Malaysia, people are fasting with you. Over here, most people are not fasting. It became more challenging but at the end of the day, it feels more rewarding.

“Right now, it is 19 hours of fasting. We have five hours to break fast, perform terawikh prayers before our next sahuur. You need to have discipline and proper planning in order to maximise that limited time frame.

He said that since United Kingdom is not a Muslim majority country, the atmosphere feels like a normal day.

“It does not bring the same Ramadan vibe like in Malaysia. I miss the Ramadan bazaar. I miss kuih pelita (delicacy) and bubur lambuk (porridge) from Kampung Baru.

“Secondly, in Malaysia it’s easier to catch up with friends and family over buka puasa (break fast). Ramadan is all about strengthening the bond of the Ummah. Of course it can be done here with friends and the Muslim community, but it’s never the same compared to the place you call home,” said Emir.