Ramadan

    Ramadan is the most important month for all Muslims in the world, and it will last for one month. In the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims consider this to be the holiest month of the year, and Muslims all over the world will fast from sunrise to sunset. For this year (2021), Ramadan will start on the 13th of April and end on the 13th of May. The main meaning of Ramadan is to allow believers to have self-discipline, restrain selfish desires, experience hunger, and help the elderly, the weak and the poor.

    During Ramadan, Muslims can work and rest normally, and they can enjoy food from sunset to before the ceremony the next morning. The elderly, children, breastfeeding women, pregnant women, menstruating women and patients are exempt from fasting. Since Muslims are still going to work and school, during the month of fasting, they usually get up early and get more satiety food before the morning ritual to maintain their strength throughout the day. In school or the workplace, you may meet some Muslim friends, classmates, teachers or colleagues, for the sake of respect, you can avoid eating and drinking in front of them.

    After the month of Ramadan, the consequent is Hari Raya, the Muslims will dress up their traditional clothes went to the mosque for praying and also go to the cemetery to the tomb and pray (tomb are not the necessary thing for Hari Raya, but most of them will). In Hari Raya, they will also visit their relatives and friends or invite them to the house to celebrate Hari Raya.

Ramadan Bazaar

In Malaysia, you can find a lot of Ramadan Bazaar in all of the states and you will can also find out many of Malay traditional food. Here have 5 types of food that you can’t miss in Ramadan Bazaar: -

1. Murtabak

Murtabak in arabic means 'folded'. A murtabak is a type of flatbread that is usually filled with different types of filling such as mutton, chicken, cheese or onion.

2. Satay

Satay is one of the most signature food for the Malay race. The meat will be cut into small pieces and mix with the spices. After that, the meat is then skewered onto wooden sticks (known as satay sticks) and grilled over charcoal. The satay usually will serve with the handmade peanut sauces, cucumber, ketupat and onion.

3. Roti John

Roti John is the combination culture of west and east in a form sandwich. The name of Roti John come from an Englishman man named John who is buying burger at the roadside. The burger that he bought was made with the ingredients of baguette, mutton, eggs, onion, ketchup, and chili sauce. The man who makes the burger give it to John and say that “ Sila Makan Roti John ( Please have a try with the burger, John ). That how the name of Roti John come from.

4. Kuih tepung pelita

Kuih tepung pelita is a two-layer traditional kuih prepared in a square mold made of banana leaves. It consists of two layers where the top part is soft, white and is made from coconut milk that gives richness in taste. The bottom layer is made from rice flour, diluted coconut milk and pandan juice. The bottom layer is slightly harder than the top and usually greenish. Its texture is soft and creamy.

5. Otak-otak

Otak-otak is a classic dish that steamed and moist fish custard wrapped with banana leaves. It flavored with various aromatic herbs, exotic spices, and infused with the sweet fragrance of rich coconut milk.