The Muslim communities around the world, including in Macau, officially begin the holy month of Ramadan today, when they start observing their annual month-long fasting ahead of the Eid al-Fitr, one of the two biggest Islamic holy days – the other is Eid al-Adha.
Throughout Ramadan, followers of Islam observe fasting every day, from sunrise to sunset, when they usually break the fasting with family or peers. They celebrate Eid al-Fitr at the end of the month as they complete the fasting.
According to the Islamic Association of Macau, there are currently over 10,000 Muslims in the city, the majority coming from Indonesia, which include some local residents as well as migrant workers.
Many Indonesian migrant workers celebrate the month by breaking the fast together with fellow Muslim migrant workers in their boarding houses or together with Macau’s other Muslim communities at the Macau Mosque, while some Muslim local residents simply break the fast with family at home.
Four Indonesians in Macau have shared their thoughts with Good News Macau about what the fasting month means to them and what they hope for this Ramadan.
INDAH HANDAYANI SUNARDI (Chef)
What does the holy month mean to you?
“Fasting is for us to control ourselves from worldly desires, help us to be patient and improve our faith, not just overcoming our thirst and hunger, but more about guarding our hearts, words and actions.”
What is your hope for this Ramadan?
“My prayer for this Ramadan is for this year to be better than the previous years … and we can all live healthily.”
SANTI PUTRI (Domestic Worker)
What does the holy month mean to you?
“Very deep and meaningful because the reward for every good deed that we do in the holy month of Ramadan will be multiplied.”
What is your hope for this Ramadan?
“I hope everyone will be healthy throughout the fasting month this year and become a better person, and blessed with good fortune and can continue to make our parents happy.”
BEGI (Domestic Worker)
What does the holy month mean to you?
“It’s meant to make us closer to God because the month of Ramadan is more solemn compared to the other months.”
What is your hope for this Ramadan?
“A prayer of blessing to my family and for my faith to be strengthened.”
IRAWAN KUSUMA (Musician)
What does the holy month mean to you?
“It’s the time to do more good deeds like donations or helping those in need. It’s also the time to be more healthy, because fasting for an entire day also requires physical strength.”
What is your hope for this Ramadan?
“Hopefully the fasting will be more successful and serious. I also hope to be able to break the fast at the Macau Mosque as I have never done that before due to work schedule.” (Gilbert Humphrey)
Images: Courtesy of the people interviewed in this article, Indonesia Bertauhid, Islamic Association of Macau
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