The Redeem of Ramadan

Ramadan is unlike Ramadan as it should be anymore. It’s about time Muslims here re-look at how we have been observing the holy month.

In a bid to foster a more inclusive society, Government and Grassroots Organisations here have decided to extend the spirit of Ramadan to people of all religions. Throughout the entire month, mosques and community centres are holding dine-in sessions where everyone, regardless of race and religion, break bread together at the sound of the prayer call. It is not unusual to see Buddhist monks in saffron robes and Taoists priests in full headgear sitting together in a mosque with their Muslim counterparts over a bowl of dates and porridge.

These are commendable initiatives indeed. In the context of a multi-racial society, such cross cultural activities should receive our full endorsement. However in the effort to include everyone, some organisations may have taken it a tad too far.

To mark the start of this year’s Ramadan, a pop concert was held in the heart of Geylang Serai – a shopping district popular with the country’s Muslims. In attendance were people from a cross section of society including Members of Parliament, community leaders and plenty of screaming teenagers. The spectacle came complete with fireworks, a light-up and a Dangdut dance performance in which popular songstress Zaleha Hamid was joined on stage by our Senior Minister.

Such events may project Singapore’s image as a society that celebrates it diverse cultures. It may even be a money spinner, judging from the number of sponsors who have come forward to endorse the event.

But have we decided to do all these at the expense of the religious sensitivities of its people? Ramadan is after all the holiest month in the Islamic calendar where festivities are frowned upon.

A growing number of Muslims in Singapore are bemoaning the fact that Ramadan observance here is increasingly deviating from the way it was meant to be. Year by year, the holy month is perversely being inundated with blatant commercialism and mindless consumption. Our youngsters today are growing up with a perception of Ramadan as a time to visit the bazaar, buy new clothes and stock up on needless food items. In fact a Muslim Member of Parliament was quoted recently on national TV referring to Ramadan as a “festival”. The true meaning of Ramadan is going astray indeed. Events such as pop concerts are definitely of no help in rectifying the matter.

Myth: Ramadan is a “Festival”

Ramadan is not a “festival”, as what our Muslim MP has ignorantly rambled. Webster’s Dictionary defines the word “festival” as a joyous occasion; a grand, ceremonious, or sumptuous entertainment, of which many guests partake. Ramadan is exactly the opposite of that. It is a month of solemn night prayers, good deeds and fasting where Muslims seek humility, self-control and forgiveness for their past sins. During the nights of Ramadan, we take an exclusive time to reflect on all the bad that we have done. Various other charitable deeds are usually also included in the itinerary of the average Muslim. Hardly anything festive about it.

Myth: Ramadan is a time for shopping

I’m not sure why but Malays in the community have always seemed to make it a point to stock up on new clothes, new furniture and new everything whenever the Ramadan bazaar comes up. Perhaps they think that relatives would be in “shock and awe” at their impressively good looking homes and clothes.

The younger generation have enhanced this wasteful spending further. Like their parents, they also make it a point to stock up on new clothes, new furniture and new everything – on instalments. This year, big-name retailers like Courts have reserved the best spots in the annual bazaar, selling its furniture and home entertainment systems on credit and 48-month instalments.

But the best selling item every year at the bazaar is undoubtedly a new set of wheels. Cars are being sold in various spots at the bazaar on 10-year instalments with zero downpayments. I have written about this phenomenon about a year ago. Today, the idea of people buying a car on impulse at the bazaar in droves still intrigues me.

Islam is a religion that emphasises humility. Unlike other festivals, Eid has no such requirement on Muslims to buy anything, save for a decent set of clean clothes to be worn for the morning prayers. Commercialism and greed has dictated the festival to be otherwise.

Myth: Most Muslims lose weight during Ramadan

Hell no. Although by right they should. Muslims have been taught to be moderate in the way we break fast, with a recommended serving of a little more than just dates and water. Sunset is after all very near to bedtime and excess consumption of food is bound to lead to weight gain. But sadly, Ramadan is being treated as a food fiesta for some. With hotels and restaurants having special buffet packages for break fast, who could resist?

Ramadan is and will continue to be exploited for commercial interests. Be it furniture stores, buffet restaurants or pop-concert organizers. But as in simple economics, supply will dwindle when there is no demand. The fact that such exploitations of Ramadan exist is because Muslims have allowed ourselves to be exploited. We choose to smear the holy month with insatiable greed and complete neglect of its true meaning. If we as Muslims do not redeem its sacredness, no one else would.