Muslim’s life during Ramadan in Chinese University

By: Chen Sune Yee, Ng Jia Yin, Tan Yun You

Nurul is a Muslim in a university where the majority of the students are non-Muslims. During Ramadan, she and her friends couldn’t find any shops opened in the early morning although there are a few Halal restaurants in the campus. She can only eat bread and milk to start her day. Then, she started her fasting. She did not eat for 13 hours. Some students are curious that she doesn’t eat and drink anything although she was tired and hungry.

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is believed by Muslims that God, Allah, revealed to Prophet Muhammad the first verses of Quran (holy text of Islam) on a night known as "The Night of Power"(Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic) in the month of Ramadan.

"When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the devils are chained."—Prophet Muhammad.

Ramadan is also called as the month of fasting. Muslims are not allowed to eat, drink and smoke between dawn and sunset during the month.

Muslims’ Opinion Towards Chinese University

Based on our observation, there are no shops opened on the campus in this early morning. Even if there are, they find that the food is not suitable for them. This can be proved from the interview below with students and a lecturer in the university. Husna is a local student while Omar is an international student, and Ms Zadza is a lecturer in the School of Foundation Studies.

What do you eat before fasting (morning)?

Husna : Early in the morning I'll usually make a cup of coffee and eat some biscuit or

bread, they are all very light food.

Omar : Before 5am, sometimes, we drink a cup of water. [I ate, but] I don't eat salty food.

Ms Zadza: We wake up in the morning, we eat something simple like some sandwich so we

have different nutritious.

What do you usually have your meal on campus?

Husna : My mom usually buys me lunch outside as there's not much choices in XMUM.

Omar : I eat in D6, the Arab restaurant on the third floor and Chef Yang [the western

restaurant] in B1.

Ms Zadza: I bring my own food.

Muslim students have limited choice when it comes to food as Satey Palace and Kaabish are the only two halal restaurant in XMUM.

Do you ever go outside campus to have your meal?

Husna : Of course. I used to go outside and I'll go to Mamak or Tomyam store to get my

meal because there's no Tomyam store here in campus….

Omar : Yes. I do. I go to McDonald, KipMall, Burger King and KFC. Sometimes I go to Mamak restaurants. There are a few times I went to Putrajaya to eat.

Ms Zadza: Sometimes, I eat in KipMall or the Malay restaurants near KipMall.

Kip Mall and the shop lots around it have lots of halal food choices for the Muslims

What do you think about the halal restaurant in XMUM? Do you think it is enough or it needs improvement?

Husna : I wish they can have more options. It's hard for me to say but it's kind of boring

here. There's not so much food here. I wish they consider other races here.

Omar : I think it's not enough because there are only 2 or 3 stores and one of them opened for (2 months). I think there's a chance to open a new one with cheaper price because [most of] them are expensive compared to Chinese food.

Ms Zadza: I actually do not eat here, because there is a lot of non-halal food here. In Islam,

we are very specific. The utensils and everything cannot be mixed. If you have any doubts, you shouldn't take it at all. There are Muslims who go to halal stores here, it's not wrong, too. It is because they don't have any problem. Some people avoid because they are not comfortable or not confident whether the utensils have been mixed. For me, I avoid. Yet, I still go and buy buns.

There are various Chinese food in the campus but only one halal restaurant in a three stories canteen.

From the interviews, we believe that XMUM should open more halal restaurant to provide more choices for Muslims students.

Why must Muslim fast?

● Fasting is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The Pillars tell what Muslims need to do in their lives.

● Muslims fast to devote themselves and be closer to God. Through fasting, they experience how it is like to be the less fortunate who don't have food to eat and have to endure hunger until they finally get food.

● Fasting is also a type of spiritual training where the Muslims can measure their faith to God and also strengthen their belief.

● Fasting is seen as a way to physically and spiritually purify. Muslims often donate to charities during the month and feed the hungry ones. Many spend more time at mosques during Ramadan and use their downtime to recite the Quran.

● It is seen as a way for worshipers to purify themselves spiritually and physically. They connect to their communities and do good deeds to people who needed help.

How They Start Their Day

Before the fast, they wake up early to prepare for the pre-dawn meal called sahur. It is a meal for get them ready to fast for the rest of the day until sunset. They eat after the prayers in sunset. Usually, Muslims will have a sip of water and have some dates which are also known as kurma first before they have their large feast with their family and friends.

Keeping Faith [Strengthen Yourself] During Ramadan

“Having faith” and “keeping the faith”, along with other adages, are phrases that Muslims use daily. Giving Muslims confidence and positivity, faith is their essential character either in a higher quality of themselves or others.

In order to maintain their faith, they should remember Allah wherever they are. It is a way for them to stay focus on their invocations and remembrance when they are away from food and drinks. They read holy books like the Quran, pray all the time with the prayers to get motivation. They listen to reminders while being calm and patient. With all the strengthen minds and the support of Allah, these can ensure the hunger don't stop them from making the most of this blessed month and fulfilling their duties towards their Creator.

Some might find that it is hard to deal with hunger and fatigue in Ramadan because they will feel tired in the morning and throughout the day. Fasting makes them feel ‘unwell’.

To deal with hunger and fatigue in Ramadan, here are some tips:

1) Improve breathing

One must learn to breathe deeply and slowly to get more oxygen which can reach cells, brains, and hearts. A lack of oxygen will lead to having difficulties to carry out the function at the optimal level.

2) Sleep better

Sleep earlier so that you can get enough rest which allow you to feel refreshed for the next sahur. A power nap in the afternoon ca help ones stay energized until the end of fasting.

3) Stay busy

Shift focus from the challenge: hunger and fatigue. Continue normal routine just like before Ramadan. The other alternative is pre-plan timetable to do something meaningful like working, worshiping or spending time with family.

Fasting is an obligation for Muslims during Ramadan. However, some people are excluded from fasting, for example, young children, pregnant woman, sick person and the elders because they are too weak to fast. Some of them need to fast the same number of days they missed after Ramadan.

Multiracial students are having lunch together in a halal restaurant.

We live in a multiracial country so we must understand and respect each other’s culture. Ramadan is a month to test Muslims’ faith. If your friend is a Muslim, ask them if they are fine if you drink or eat in front of them. Besides, the university should bring more Halal restaurant to our campus to meet the students’ need.