Notes on Ramadan

Ramadan is the holy month for Muslims, which happens once every year (although the Islamic calendar is different than the Gregorian solar calendar). I didn’t realize how little I had known about it before coming to Indonesia. All I knew really was that Muslims fasted during daylight hours, then were able to eat when the sun went down. That’s it really. Here’s some facts about that I’ve learn in a short time and while I’m not fasting completely (I eat breakfast later in the morning and still drink water), many volunteers in Indonesia are trying it for the first time in order show some solidarity with community members and learn more about it.

Peter Ryan, Nat Geo

Get ready to for wake up calls at 3:00 am (or earlier)

“Banguuuun, Banguuuun!” or “Waaaake up! Waaaake up!” I’ve mentioned that I live next to a mushola, or prayer room. The loudspeaker now plays early in the morning to wake residents up to eat. As the first call to prayer begins around 4am, people have the time to eat breakfast before the sun rises, called sahur. Sometimes people also walk through the village with drums, pots and pans in an attempt to wake people up, chanting “Sahur! Sahur!” Volunteers have told me about cars playing wake up songs throughout the neighborhood. Pretty much, everyone needs to get up and eat, because if they don’t, they’ll be real hungry for the rest of the day.

There’s a slower pace of life (in case it couldn’t get slower)

The pace of daily life is slow during Ramadan, as people try to conserve energy and stay healthy during the fast. People are tired, hungry and thirsty. No frisbee or freeze tag with the neighborhood kids. Running has been put on pause.

Working hours are sometimes shortened

My students are currently taking their final exams this week, but last week's classes were shortened in order for the school to pray together.

Many businesses and restaurants are closed all day until the evening

Others places are open but cover their windows to decrease temptation for those who fast. Earlier this week I noticed the fridge of beers at a restaurant was covered by paper. Still ordered some, though.

In Muslim countries the economy is impacted because of fasting, there’s inflation and prices could go up.

No eating, no drinking, no smoking, and no sex during daylight hours.

No, not even water.

Children are not obligated to fast, or are the ill, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on their period.

Some children do a type of half-fast, where they won’t eat until noon. Typically though, kids don’t fully fast until they’ve gotten to puberty. Some children do it, but it’s a choice they and their parents make. People still fast, though.

The meal before the beginning of the fast is called suhoor (or sahur), and the meal after sunset is called iftar.

In Indonesia, iftar is usually known as “buka pausa” or breaking fast. Muslims often break the fast with dates. In Indonesia, drinking es degan is typical as well. Then they say a prayer called the Maghrib prayer. After that they will eat a large meal, often buffet-style with family. In my desa, my ibu is in charge of the children breaking fast. Kids will meet at the mushola around 4pm, hangout and play until about 5:20 (the time changes throughout the day). Then they will say their prayer and break fast together on the steps of the mushola.

Muslims are encouraged to read the Quran

The Quran is read multiple times a day by me (not by me, but physically near me), usually three to four times. Following the night time prayer, it will be read for about four hours. I’ve grown totally used to it though, and it strangely helps me fall asleep.

Ramadan ends with Idul Fitri (or Eid Al Fitr)

It's a massive multi-day festival where Muslims return home to their families, ask for forgiveness, break fast and give thanks.

As this is my first time is muslim-majority country, I didn’t realize how much I would learn about not only Ramadan, but the religion of Islam in general. Islam is the third largest religion in the US, and an estimated 3.45 million people practice it at home (that’s about 1% of the population). Despite this, I feel like I learned very little about the religion growing up. This has a lot to do with the fear, hatred and hostility toward Islam in the US. There's a lot of bias, discrimination and marginalization of Muslims, which deserves it own blog post, but I hope this glimpse into life during Ramadan sets a clearer picture of the religion.

More on Ramadan:

Ramadan: Understanding its history and traditions

Ramadan Around the Globe

Images from Ramadan