Families use festive season to reset their priorities
PETALING JAYA: In today’s fast-paced digital world, Ramadan feels even more significant as it is a time to pause, reset and realign priorities, says Muhamad Hanafi Rahmat.
The senior lecturer from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia in Johor said this year’s celebration is also more meaningful as it directly follows Chinese New Year.
“Beyond abstaining from food and drink, Ramadan is about building discipline, gratitude and compassion, especially among the younger generation.
“It also reminds us to slow down, reflect and reconnect with what truly matters, such as faith, family and community,” he said when contacted.
Muhamad Hanafi added that he will be joining the Chinese New Year festivities with his Chinese neighbours in Johor, and sending them hampers as a gesture of appreciation and harmony.
“I will also be heading back to my hometown for our family gatherings.
“It’s really about balancing celebrations with our neighbours while also preparing mentally and spiritually for the first day of Ramadan.”
Muhamad Hanafi said his week-long festive holiday break began last Friday and will continue until the start of Ramadan.
He added that celebrations this year feel special because the family will travel back to Kuala Lumpur for the start of Ramadan and again a month later for Syawal.
Restaurant manager Rahimah Muhamad, 35, from Petaling Jaya, will not be travelling far this Ramadan as both her family and in-laws are based in the Klang Valley.
“I will be able to spend more time with both sides of the family as it will be a long holiday week with two public holidays.”
She said it is also good that Ramadan coincides with Chinese New Year this year because it provides additional days off to prepare for the fasting month.
Although the festive period means an increase in traffic and packed supermarkets, Rahimah said she was able to purchase some promotional items such as dates and oranges for breaking fast.
She said she and her husband had begun gradually stocking up on food and plan to get more dry items for the fasting month.
“It is easier to plan weekly based on our working shifts, so that we don’t waste food and money through overconsumption,” she added.
Rahimah said she has become more appreciative of Ramadan in recent years, as it is now a chance for her two children to participate in fasting and breaking fast.
A 54-year-old banker from Kuala Lumpur, who only wanted to be known as Sharifah A, said she is keeping things simple by stocking up on essentials for sahur (pre-dawn meal) and breaking fast.
“Many may want to celebrate Ramadan the traditional way, such as travelling back to their kampung.
“For me, I don’t think it will be anything special, as I won’t be going back during the Chinese New Year break,” she said, adding that she will spend time with her children at home instead.
