the irony of it all

everyone (in malaysia) is talking about ramadhan. people at work, the banners on the streets, the newspapers, the blogs.

the banners points out that those who feed others who break fasts receives the same reward as those who fasted.

the newspaper headlines  shout about special porridges on offer in all place of worships near you.

the conversations around town (at work and at play)are peppered with cooking ingredients, menu plans and the nuances of herbs and spices on fresh fish, baked chicken and dried meat. and the bountiful spread that awaits them at home at the end of each gruelling fasting day.

the restos and hotels offer 'ramadhan buffet' - 'all you can eat and more' for only RM60++ pax. advanced booking required as these seats tend to fill up very quickly.

streets are turned into food bazaars offering variety of nosh. chicken dressed in lemongrass and skewered on sticks? tomato / beriyani/plain  rice and 50 dishes? lamb shanks? grilled fish and chilli? you name it, they have it all. its a foodie's heaven where we are.

the noise of  from all the food talk  and the loud burps afterwards -crowd out all (or even any) talk or contemplation for those-who-dont-have-any. what do those-who-dont-have-any have at sundown after the whole day of-not-having-any.  certainly not those RM60++ pax buffet spread or ginger beef and or garlic chicken...

it seems to me a mockery. all my life, its been hammered into my head that  the reason for the month long fast is to cleanse the digestive tract, achieve clarity of mind and most importantly, instil compassion and empathy in those-who-fast for the suffering of those-who-dont-have-any.

and that the compassion and empathy would stay within beyond the fasting month for a long long long time.

and yet my current surroundings belie the instruction received.  all i see and hear increasingly over the years - is a month of massive consumption and gluttony. 31 days of holier than thou attitude.  hypocrisy and pretense. finger pointing at those who dont conform and partake in day long starvation compensated by sundown to sunrise food fest.  where is the meditation and the spirituality. and the compassion and the empathy. please.

_______________________________________________________

ps: i came across a manual labourer yesterday and asked him how he is coping in the fasting season. all that heaving and building under the scorching sun without food or water. he tells me "oh sista if i fasted, i would not be able to work and there would be no income for the family. its hard as it is feeding them with what i earn. its worst  now - all the delcious food around and yet we still cannot afford to get them for the kids." oh,  the irony, the irony of it all.

Comments

[halva]

I agree completely re: food orgy that goes on after, its very sad. I dont take exception to the general celebratory air, i think that's nice but you're right, its too food obsessed. Spiritually a bit bankrupt. Also FYI there are categories of people exempted from fasting e.g. the old, infirm, nursing, pregnant and also manual labourers who need food and drink to work so he's not required to fast at all.

[Sofie]

Hear hear! All that excess to look forward to as you practise self control during the day. Never understood why it is only for Ramadhan that we are reminded to think of the less fortunate. Having said that, I miss the buffets..

[Jehan]

I totally agree with you! It makes me sad reading this entry of yours cuz what u wrote is SO TRUE!

[Jehan]

Hey, can i take this post of yours and put it at my blog? I like it so much. Of course I'll say its a quote from u ... pwease!!

[rara avis]

Jehan, sure you can...
(also why dont you send me a link of your site!)

[SonyaSunny]

Hi,
Not sure that this is true:), but thanks for a post.

Have a nice day
SonyaSunny

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