Mass breaking of fast on city road new cultural feature to foster unity

As early as 5pm in busy Jalan Raja in the federal capital, several individuals were seen laying out mats on the road. They then started arranging a pot of porridge, drinks and local cakes on the mats before the multiracial crowd including foreign tourists eagerly took their place on the mats. The scene might be considered peculiar by those visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first time, but this only occurs once a year during the holy month of Ramadan. National Culture and Arts Department (JKKN) director-general Datuk Norliza Rofli said this unique feature could ony be seen once a year during the event called "Jom Berbuka Puasa" (Let's Break Fast), a cultural programme organised by the department. She said throughout this event, people of various races and religions including foreign tourists could join the breaking of fast for free. "Jom Berbuka Puasa began last year, the idea coming from watching the Ramadan scene in Pahang where lots of people broke their fast on a field. "I felt it was something unique and tried to implement it in Kuala Lumpur by choosing Jalan Raja which is next to Dataran Merdeka. This place is suitable as it is a focal point for locals and tourists alike," she said. The event is held every Saturday and Sunday during Ramadan with the staples for breaking fast served such as dates, kuih (Malay cakes) and spicy porridge called "bubur lambuk" from the Kampung Baru Jamek Mosque. More interestingly, visitors also listen to a talk on Ramadan and reciting of the Quran before time to break the fast, with Jalan Raja closed to traffic for the duration of the event. "This is my second time here. The first time was last weekend. While out shopping with friends, we drop by and join the 'buka puasa'...it's enjoyable," said Susan Lee, 65, a non-Muslim from Jalan Klang Lama. Adjibah Affendy, 25, from Sibu, Sarawak, said she and her family had joined the event last year when it was first introduced as they were attracted to the concept and its uniqueness. "Coincidentally, we are also down in Kuala Lumpur now and we don't want to miss the opportunity of joining this event. It's an enjoyable experience to break fast in the open with many people. Although we don't know each other, we are still like one big family," she said. French tourist Thiery Deric, 29, said while strolling around Dataran Merdeka, he was attracted to the stretches of mats on the road. "This is my first time in Malaysia...and it is a novelty to see something like this, with people from different races and religions sitting together and eating at the breaking the fast. "The opportunity of 'breaking fast' with Malaysians is priceless. I can see over here (Malaysia) that the people are very practical...they accept their differences and tolerate other cultures. Malaysia should maintain this programme," said the delighted visitor.