The first week of Ramadan is about to end. How's your fast? May you always be strengthened.
Talking about Ramadan, in Indonesia there is a tradition of breaking the fast. So, what about other Asian countries? Do they break their fast while making banana compote too?
Let's check, let's check, other Asian countries, what if it's before breaking fast? Check them out!
1. Singapore
It is not complete to talk about Asian countries without discussing Singapore. Even though this country is a Muslim minority, Ramadan still has its own vibes.
The Ramadan bazaar is an annual event that is always awaited and a favorite iftar place. The good news is that the Ramadan Bazaar will be held again after two consecutive years of being canceled due to Covid-19.
This year the Ramadan Bazaar was held at Geylang Serai. Uniquely, the Ramadan Bazaar has a regulation that traditional Ramadan goods/foods must have more outlets than contemporary goods/foods.
2. Japan
As Islam develops in Japan, there are some places that have a very Ramadan atmosphere.
Some of those places are the Japan Islamic Center, Shibuya Ward Mosque, and Tokyo Camii Mosque. Citing the Japan Times, the two large mosques always hold a joint iftar for 200 visitors.
The tradition of breaking the fast of Muslims there by mutual cooperation prepares for iftar and tarawih needs. Starting from bean soup to meat soup are provided for iftar activities together at the mosque.
At the Japan Islamic Center, there are always taklim assemblies, religious dialogues, joint tarawih, and book publishing projects.
3. Thailand
There are only 5-10% of Muslims, but it turns out that there are some unique traditions during Ramadan. In fact, there are unique Ramadan traditions such as animal sacrifice.
On the first day of fasting, each family will sacrifice the head of a farm animal. Those who cannot afford can sacrifice birds.
In fact, there is also an atmosphere of Ramadan also enlivened from the interior of Thailand such as Khon Kaen. Khon Kaen Mosque also holds iftar together every month of Ramadan.
Rice with beef in curry sauce is eaten in one large container for 4 people. This tradition is carried out to increase the sense of solidarity among Muslims.
4. Pakistan
Pakistan has quite a lot of traditions and unique places during Ramadan. Starting from the Khajoor Market which specializes in selling dates and Ramadan necessities, breaking the fast together in the Karachi street area, to the unique tradition of throwing boiled eggs.
Quoted from Arab News, this game requires the men to hold each other's boiled egg and knock it on the opponent's boiled egg. The duel wins if the opponent's boiled egg is destroyed.
Every owner of boiled eggs is also obliged to keep his boiled eggs from cracking. This game has been done for centuries and from generation to generation.
5. South Korea
Almost the same as in Japan, Islam in South Korea is also growing. The moment of Ramadan is increasingly recognized and celebrated by Muslims there.
If you want to feel the strong Ramadan vibes, people will go to the city of Seoul, precisely in the Itaewon district which is the center of Islamic activities. There is the Seoul Central Mosque which is open to everyone for 24 hours, a variety of halal cuisine, and the Korean Muslim Federation organization.
This organization has a unique tradition during Ramadan, namely holding a Quran Recitation Contest every Friday. This activity is certainly to strengthen the relationship between Muslims in South Korea.
Along Itaewon Street there are various kinds of halal food outlets. Some of them such as Middle Eastern snacks such as kebabs, Southeast Asian snacks, and Korean snacks that have been modified to be halal. Guaranteed to be halal!
Wow, it turns out that even though iftar doesn't make banana compote, Ramadan moments in other Asian countries are fun too. If given the opportunity, what country would you like to try breaking the fast in?