Fasting Month Rahmadhan 1429
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August 29, 2008 by Medan Indonesia
Filed under Food, Information, Living, Travel Tips
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The Fasting Month of Rahmadhan 1429 - 2008 in Medan Indonesia
There are several things that visitors need to be aware during this fasting month which is from 01 September to 30 September 2008.
Ramadan, the fasting month, is an event of great importance to the Indonesian and the world’s Muslim community. Being one of the five pillars of Islam, observance of the fasting month is the priority in the devout Muslim’s life during this month. Fasting involves a change in the daily routine of the Muslim faithful and represents an expression of their deep belief in God.
Many Indonesians look forward to Ramadan as an opportunity to test and develop their inner, spiritual selves. The fasting regimen is rigorous. No eating, drinking or smoking is allowed after the first prayer in the morning until the opening of the fast in the evening.
Prayer times change based on sunset and sunrise, so the exact timing is different every day. ( see the schedule attached Puasa Imsakiyah 1429 Medan ) The morning prayer usually comes around 4.30 AM. Before this time, a Muslim family must rise and consume the last food or drink that they will have for the next fourteen hours.
The opening of the fast, or Buka Puasa, occurs around 6.00 PM in the evening. At this time, all fasting Muslims will break the fast by drinking, eating and attending prayers. Expect restaurants to be more busy than usual especially those that are serving Indonesian or local food as many families may not cook for this breaking fast period.
During this time, you may noticed that some restaurants may be closed or are opening discretely with curtains covering up windows of restaurants during the fasting time. This is a sign of respect for those who are fasting.
You can see an example here of a picture taken today at Mc Donalds Yuki Medan where they have prepared the curtains to cover up the windows of their fast food chain for Rahmadhan.
Other ways visitors should do as a sign of respect are:
- Be discreet when consuming food. Do not to eat or drink in public places except for restaurants.
- Be observant and do not offer food or drink during the fasting hours to those who are fasting.
- Be respectful and do not showcase your own food or drinks in offices or public places.
- Be empathetic and tolerant as you may find energy levels of those who are fasting to be low which may affect service levels and lower performance.
If you are fasting, you may find these places useful when breaking fast or BUKA Puasa where food can be served almost instantly apart from those fast food restaurants such as Mc Donalds and KFC of course. The restaurants that serves Padang Food such as the Garuda or Simpang Tiga can prepare your table with food waiting for the time for you to break fast and consume instantly.
The expat website of Indonesia wrote a very good article on Business Across Cultures: The Fasting Month. If you are doing business or an expat in Medan, you may want to read more about it.
I don’t think it’s necessary to stop eating in public. Medan has plenty of Christians and Western visitors are understood not to be Muslim. Of course if you go to Berastagi or Lake Toba, most people are Christian, Ramadan is not an issue.
I am planning to move to Medan for religious reasons. (I am Muslim convert.) I wanted a second opinion on moving to a new country during my Holy month or if I should wait until after?
–Kari (or my Muslim name Yasmin
PS: Do you have any information on classes at the FOCUS Maritime Academy? The website isn’t helping a whole lot