During the sacred month of Ramadan in Malaysia, the spirit of unity and respect among people of different backgrounds comes to life, especially evident in the bustling Ramadan bazaars and the iftar gatherings at restaurants and hotels.
Apart from the usual Ramadan bazaars where people buy iftar meals, more are now choosing to break their fast at restaurants and hotels.
Non-Muslims waiting to break fast together
What’s cool about this trend is that it’s open to everyone. It’s not just Muslims fasting; people from different religions join in too, making it a truly inclusive iftar experience.
One striking observation is the display of high manners by non-Muslim patrons who refrain from consuming the food until the Maghrib call to prayer signals the iftar time.
This etiquette was recently highlighted by social media influencer Mohd Fadli Salleh, also known as Cikgu Fadli, who shared his firsthand experience of breaking fast at a buffet.
In his Facebook post, Cikgu Fadli expressed admiration for the Chinese patrons who participated in the iftar package alongside their Muslim friends and family.
“I broke my fast outside. Here, many Chinese people also took the opportunity to join in the iftar package to eat with their friends and family. What’s interesting is, they took the food and drinks, arrange them on the table but don’t eat,” he said.
Despite having the food laid out before them, they respectfully waited until the designated time to commence their meal, demonstrating a deep sense of mutual respect and harmony.
“Their table is separate from the Muslim group. Even if they had eaten right away, nobody would be angry. But out of respect, they waited first. I really like seeing some who mutually respect each other even though they are from different races and religions. Harmony is felt when there’s mutual respect,” he concluded.
What netizens have to say
Netizens have widely praised the actions of these Chinese customers, seeing it as a sign of unity in Malaysia’s diverse society. Comments on social media show that despite political tensions, everyday people still value harmony and inclusivity.
One netizen said, “Only politicians make tensions between races… ordinary people are actually okay.”
Another commenter recounted an experience of sharing a train compartment with Chinese passengers during Ramadan, where they waited to eat together with Muslim passengers at iftar time.
People agree that mutual respect and understanding are crucial for Malaysia to stay united. As one commenter said, “Most people respect each other. Only a few have their own agendas.”
Simply put, waiting to break fast together goes beyond religious differences and celebrates Malaysia’s diversity.
It shows a shared dedication to creating an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of background, can unite in harmony during Ramadan and beyond.
As another commenter wisely put it, “It’s just common sense. It’s polite to wait for Muslims to break their fast.”
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