I remember pretty well, fasting during my growing up years when we were living in PJ for 6 years, then in Bangsar for another 6 years. After that was like 12 years of adulthood in Bangsar before I moved on to a different phase in my life.
I don't remember the big fuss about performing Tarawih prayers at the mosque diligently. Usually, only the old folks so that. Ans then there wasn't such thing as PARAM (pasar Ramadan katanya). And there was no slightest sign of Raya kuih, baju Raya what more jubahs, tudungs and kupiahs.
What I remember clearly was how we had to observe the fasting. Other than not eating and drinking, we didn't do much else either. I guess we were avoiding anything that could batal our fasting.
By early afternoon, mum would be busy preparing for Iftar and sahur. That was pretty routine.
We would go on like that for close to three weeks before the excitement of Raya was felt. After three weeks of fasting, then only we get to be treated to a few baju Raya, get to play fireworks, baked Raya cookies and travelled back to Dad's hometown in Kuala Kangsar in time for Malam Tujuh Likur. Now THAT...was really a festive occasion.
How time has changed so much. Last week, I was at Plaza Angsana in JB to grab some stuffs at the pharmacy. Shocked as I was, the shopping complex was already packed at every possible corridor and corner, with vendors selling BAJU RAYA, KUIH RAYA n all that!!! Hellooooooo, how can you appreciate Raya without going through Ramadan?
Have we lost it? Seriously. Do we really know the true meaning of Ramadan and Syawal?
I really, really thought we are already a more knowledgeable, well-informed and well-learned society. The way so many of us are going on and on about our religion. Oh wow. #speechless
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