Travelling in Malaysia during Ramadan -2023

Muslims in Malaysia observe Ramadan as a significant religious occasion, and they do it with tremendous fervor and dedication. Muslims fast from sunrise till dusk for the whole month of Ramadan, which is a holy period in Islam. Ramadan is extensively observed across Malaysia because of the country's sizeable Muslim population. So if you want to be a part of Ramadan apply for a Malaysia visit visa and make the most of this holy celebration.

How is Ramadan Celebrated in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, Ramadan is observed in the following ways:

• Preparation: Before Ramadan begins, Malaysians stock up on food and make traditional Ramadan meals to get ready for the month-long fast. For Malaysian Muslims, Ramadan is a great time to provide Zakat (charity) and show generosity to others.

• Tarawih Prayers: During Ramadan, Muslims in Malaysia do Tarawih prayers that are unique prayers said following the Isha prayer. In mosques and prayer rooms all around the nation, these prayers are typically said in unison.

• Iftar: Iftar, the evening meal eaten after sunset, is how in Malaysia Muslims break their fast. Dates, water, and traditional foods like rendang, nasi lemak, and satay are how Malaysian Muslims customarily break their fast.

• Bazaar Ramadan: Here food vendors open stalls offering traditional Malay cuisine, is one of the most important features of Ramadan in Malaysia. To break the fast and indulge in a variety of delectable sweets, people congregate at the Bazaar Ramadan.

• Nightly Ramadan Festivities: Ramadan celebrations take place every night in Malaysia. Several of these celebrations are held during the holy month of Ramadan. People congregate to watch traditional dances, cultural performances, and Quran readings.

• Zakat Al-Fitr: At the conclusion of Ramadan, Muslims in Malaysia practice Zakat Al-Fitr, a type of almsgiving that entails providing a certain quantity of food to the underprivileged and hungry.

In Malaysia, Ramadan is a time often of spiritual introspection, fasting, and almsgiving. It is a wonderful time for Malaysians for celebrating their faith and gathering together as a community because of the nation's distinctive cultural customs.

What Impact does Ramadan have on Travelers in Malaysia?

In Malaysia, as in the majority of Muslim-dominated nations, Muslim-run restaurants close during the day, yet that does not imply there is no food available. Instead, except of the more conservative states of Kelantan, Kedah, Kuala Terengganu, and increasingly Johor as to where food can be found in the day time with a little effort, Chinese and other non-Muslim-run restaurants are still open pretty much everywhere. In most Malaysian cities and towns, businesses remain open throughout Ramadan, including attractions, shops, and even bars & nightclubs. Smaller towns and cities are usually calmer during the day, but at the time of the main meal at night, they come alive and provide some great photo opportunity.

Masjid in Malaysia

Perks of Visiting Malaysia during the Holy Ramadan

A vacation in Malaysia during Ramadan might be challenging sometimes, yet this can also be a wonderful cultural experience, especially around Hari Raya Aidilfitri (commonly known as Eid), the celebration of the Muslim New Year that concludes the holy month. As Muslims believe that good deeds performed during the holy month – like inviting foreign guests for joining them for a dawn meal, dinner

or Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations - are rewarded more highly than usual, this is a great time to mix with locals when they are typically at their most hospitable. Every evening during the holy month, Ramadan bazaars (special food markets) open in most cities and neighborhoods, selling a variety of Malaysian delicacies that are difficult to find otherwise (like laksa Johor, the family-style laksa sold rarely in restaurants). During the holy month, hotels frequently host extravagant Ramadan banquets.

Make the Most of Ramadan Buffet

Ramadan Buffets and Desserts- To meet the needs of individuals who are fasting, numerous hotels and restaurants in Malaysia offer unique Ramadan buffets. In Malaysia, the Ramadan buffet often offers a large selection of foods, including both regional and global cuisine and several halal-certified alternatives. These buffets frequently feature popular meals like nasi briyani, ketupat, satay, rendang, ayam percik, and a variety of desserts including kuih, dates, and fruits. Traditional Ramadan decorations are used by many hotels and restaurants to adorn their spaces and create a festive ambiance.

In Malaysia, the Ramadan buffet typically starts in the late afternoon following the Maghrib prayer and lasts until the early morning, or until the pre-dawn meal, suhoor. Hotels like Shangri-La, Hilton, and Sheraton as well as regional eateries like Bazaar Ramadan in the TTDI, Selangor, and Kampung Baru's food mart in Kuala Lumpur are a few sites where Ramadan buffets are frequently enjoyed in Malaysia.

The variety of delectable desserts prepared and eaten during this time, such as Bubur Lambuk, a traditional Malaysian porridge made with rice, spices, and meat, is one of the most exciting aspects of Ramadan in Malaysia. Ramadan is a time when colorful stacked cakes are frequently presented. It has a distinctive flavor and texture and is created with rice flour, coconut milk, and pandan leaves.

Dodol is a sweet dish made from glutinous rice flour, coconut milk and palm sugar; Apam Balik is a sort of pancake loaded with sweet ingredients including peanut butter, chocolate and banana; Pengat is a sweet soup prepared with bananas, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and palm sugar. It also contains coconut milk. And the most significant being dates, a traditional delicacy that is frequently consumed throughout Ramadan to end the fast.

Essential Tips to Travel Malaysia during Ramadan

The week before Ramadan, be aware that stores and malls will be fairly crowded. Particularly dates, which are offered every night at breakfast, are a popular item for people to store up on. As the sun sets, traffic can become fairly congested as people try to get home for breakfast. If you intend to eat out, you might want to attempt to arrive a bit before sundown. Due to the large number of Muslims who will be travelling to visit their families, domestic flights, buses, and trains may be congested or fully booked. If you intend to fly across the nation, make sure to make your reservations well in advance. If you are travelling during the month of Ramadan, try to choose hotels close to or near Chinese or Indian communities. If a hotel or restaurant is run and owned by a Muslim, it might be closed throughout the day. If you intend to travel through places where restaurants and shops might be closed, bring snacks. You should not delay your trip to Malaysia if it falls around Ramadan; instead, think of yourself as lucky to experience this magnificent culture and religion during such a special time of the year for them. Stay for Hari Raya if you have any extra days off. You will not be let down.

Additional Tips

Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in public during the daytime out of respect for the people’s religious beliefs.

• Discover the culture

• Dress modestly

• Carefully plan your itinerary to avoid disappointment

• Remain hydrated.

Final Analysis

Ramadan travel to Malaysia is a pleasant experience for tourists who wish to immerse themselves fully in the culture of the nation. Throughout this holy month, Malaysia delivers a one-of-a-kind experience, from Ramadan bazaars to Eid al-Fitr. It provides an opportunity to experience Malaysians' renowned warmth and sense of community.