22 hours Ago By Fasiha Khushiri
KUCHING: The fasting month of Ramadan in Sarawak may have evolved over the years, from simple communal meals to bustling bazaars and digital conveniences, but the core values of faith, family and giving remain strong.Each generation experiences it differently, yet the spirit of Ramadan continues to unite Sarawakian Muslims.But how has the observance of Ramadan changed over the decades?Tribune spoke to three Sarawakians from different generations to understand what has remained the same and what has evolved.
For 53-year-old Mastijah Rafaiee, Ramadan in the 1970s was a time of simplicity and community spirit.Mastijah“Back then, there were no grand bazaars or air-conditioned mosques. We broke our fast with simple meals, often just dates and porridge, before heading to the surau for prayers,” she recalled.
“People would share whatever little they had, and children would help carry food to neighbours. There was no such thing as wasting food.”She also reminisced about how suhoor (pre-dawn meal) was signaled by the beating of the beduk (a traditional drum), and the whole village would wake up together.
“Nowadays, everyone has alarms on their phones but the sense of community waking up together is something I miss,” she added.As for 48-year-old Mazniyati Jeman, who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, Ramadan was then still deeply rooted in tradition but heralded the beginning of commercialisation.Mazniyati “I remember the excitement of going to the Ramadan bazaars, which were just starting to become popular.
We had more food choices, but it wasn’t as overwhelming as today,” she said.“In the past, my mother would cook at home more often, but now many people rely on buying food instead.”She also noted the changes in how people performed their prayers.
“Before, everyone would rush to the mosque for taraweeh prayers. Now, people are busier with work and tend to prioritise convenience, sometimes praying at home.“Technology has also changed things – people follow online religious talks instead of gathering in person,” she said.
For 24-year-old Rusyiduddin Nazri, Ramadan today is a mix of tradition and modern convenience.Rusyiduddin “We still fast and go for terawih, but everything is more digital now. We use apps to check prayer times, listen to Islamic lectures on YouTube, and even order our iftar through food delivery apps,” he explained.
“I love how easy it is to access Islamic knowledge, but I also feel like we are more distracted. People check their phones a lot, even in the mosque.”Despite the changes, he believes the essence of Ramadan remains.
“Fasting still teaches patience, and family gatherings are still important. But I do wish we had the same sense of closeness that the older generation talks about,” he said..
