Brunei: Charity, Food, and Ramadhan

Ramadhan is the ninth month of the Muslim Calendar and  the month when Muslims around the globe observe fast (refrain from eating, drinking and sexual relations) from dawn till dusk for some 30 days.  During this month, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. Just like others around the world, bloggers in Brunei have been sharing their own thoughts on the holy month. Charity seems to be a common thread in blogs and other social media sites.

AnakBrunei ^[2] blogs about a local bank initiative to help financially-challenged families in the preparations for the end of Ramadhan festivity.

“Kind-hearted organisations have played their roles in giving back to the community and Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam yesterday travelled within the Brunei-Muara District lugging with them clothes, hampers, monetary donations and, most importantly, joy to a number of families struggling with finances.”

Arabfamillies ^[3] donates food to some 20 mosques around the country. Brunei Lifestyle ^[4] writes about donations through SMS

“In Brunei, the fasting month is usually mark with more donations like donating cash (more to credit actually) via SMS for the orphans. I don’t want to start arguing on how the system is managed, let’s just donate sincerely and whole-heartedly.”

My name is Goddess ^[5] reminds her readers on the importance of peace and solidarity,

“Do you know what is better than charity and fasting and prayer? It is keeping peace and good relations between people, as quarrels and bad feelings destroy mankind.”

Geek in White ^[6] quotes from a post of Queen Noor of Jordan: Ramadan Lessons for All of Humanity ^[7]

“Ramadan is the holiest month of the Islamic year. We observe it this year against a backdrop of intensifying global human suffering, caused by economic hardship, human rights abuses, military conflict and terrorism, and the rapidly multiplying disastrous consequences of climate change. Muslims have an opportunity to use the days of this month as God intended: to reflect on our own humanity and our collective duty towards our fellow human beings. True religion isn’t built of the manifestations of piety through prayer — turning faces towards the east or west — but requires good deeds and action that manifest and express the essential values of our faith.”

Meanwhile,  Turquoise and Roses ^[8] makes an interesting observation on the different working hours during Ramadhan.

“Posted this up for my foreign readers who may find this interesting. Well you know, maybe, because not many countries in the world practice this.  One of the greatest things about fasting during Ramadhan in Brunei is the fact that, for one whole month, we operate on different working hours than the other 11 months of the year. It’s one of the persk of fasting in a Muslim country although am not sure what it’s like in Indonesia, Malaysia and the other Muslim-majority countries in the region.  Working during Ramadhan is also a very different experience compared to normal working days. Everyone seems to be in a mellow mood and for some reason everyone comes to work late! Don’t be surprised when things get done a bit slower than usual.”

Ramadhan is also the month when many undertake business opportunities to provide services for those who are fasting.  Popular bloggers, RanoAdidas ^[9] and funnyman Kurapak ^[10] joined forces for the second year in a row to come up with a ‘breaking the fast’ eateries directory called Love Food Hate Waste ^[11]. To date they have included 60 local eateries and generated over 100,000 hits since 2009.  This year they brought along Cookie Monsterz ^[12], a  local foodie to provide reviews of selected restaurants. Ranoadidas explains the project concept

“The title speaks for itself. We are supposed to appreciate the food that we take and try to minimise wastage if possible. It's very common that we tend to take more than we can consume and hence, there is also food wastage especially during Sungkai. So guys, let's be aware and don't eat too fast.”

Other bloggers like Soulkonekshen ^[14]with his now famous KAPOW Burger,  Lucky Hoofs ^[15] and her chocolate cake roll  ‘Tapak Kuda’ and Sas Monroe’s The Cakery ^[16] with her infamous brownies, used this month to gain entrepreneur experiences in selling their respective products, either at the Ramadhan Stalls or online. They have utilised Twitter, blogs and Facebook to promote their businesses.

Bruneians abroad have not left behind the home tradition of breaking the fast together. Brunei Student Society in Brisbane ^[17] organises POTLUCK Iftar to gather Muslim students.