As Ramadan begins, Muslims in Southeast Asia are preparing to observe the holy month amid a crucial time in the ongoing pandemic. Unlike last year, many countries in the region have decided not to impose strict curbs during the month-long celebration, striking a delicate balance between religious traditions and public health. This article explores how Muslims in Southeast Asia are approaching Ramadan this year and how the absence of pandemic curbs may impact the observance of this significant religious practice.
A sea of people dressed in traditional clothing flocked to the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on the evening of March 22 to offer tarawih evening prayers in the buildup to the holy month of Ramadan. It was the first time in three years that devotees could gather in Southeast Asia’s biggest mosque, signaling a return to some normality in the Islamic practice of communal worship.
Millions of Muslims around the world welcome the end of lockdowns and social distancing measures that will allow them to celebrate Ramadan in the company of their community. Ramadan has two aspects: the personal aspect, which involves fasting from dawn to sunset and praying at home, and the communal aspect, which involves offering prayers, distributing alms to the poor, and breaking fast with family at the mosque.
Although the pandemic had disrupted these communal activities for Ramadan 2022, Muslims in Southeast Asia are finding ways to balance their religious practices with the need to safeguard public health. The local governments and Islamic religious councils have issued reminders and guidelines for people to follow hygienic measures such as wearing a face mask, washing hands frequently, and bringing their own prayer mats.
In Kuala Lumpur, hotels and restaurants have started to offer Ramadan buffets, known as bazaar Ramadan, where family and friends can bond over shared iftar meals. However, the sultan has reminded Muslims not to be wasteful and to be moderate in their consumption.
In Singapore, Ramadan night bazaars are lighting up the city-state, with vendors selling food, crafts, and clothes. Local travel agents have seen a surge in demand from Singaporeans who are going to Saudi Arabia in larger numbers than before to perform umrah (the minor pilgrimage).
In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, mosques across the country are attracting thousands of worshipers during Ramadan. The Istiqlal Mosque, for example, filled up with devotees over three storeys on the eve of Ramadan, with mosque administrators expecting a greater number of worshippers to come in the next few days. To ensure safety, administrators are allowing only up to 150,000 people, instead of the 250,000 capacity, inside the five-story mosque.
Indonesians are also preparing for their annual exodus or “mudik” to hometowns at the end of Ramadan. Train and bus ticket sales have already gone up as people reserve their seats ahead of time.
As international travel restrictions and localized lockdowns continue in some parts of the world, Muslims are finding ways to creatively observe their religious practices while keeping themselves and the wider community safe.
