The holy month of Ramadhan in Brunei, the southeast Asian country, is a month of giving, just as any other country is used to, but with the difference that every single household will be taken care of by the royal gesture of making sure that people do possess ample food and other provisions with them for a whole month.
In Brunei, Ramadhan begins with twelve cannon shots being fired at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien in the capital city of Bander Seri Begawan, heralding the arrival of the ‘month of abundance’ in terms of goodness and kindness.
Brunei is closely associated with Islam, its traditions, and religious customs and this is visible in celebrating events and religious festivals, including the holy month of Ramadhan.
In conjunction with the holy month of Ramadhan, 154.5 tonnes of dates from His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam have been distributed to all Muslims in the country irrespective of their age and citizenship whereby each individual is entitled to a box containing 300 grams of dates.
To celebrate Ramadhan, several Islamic activities and events are held during this holy month such as Tadarus, Islamic Talks, Nuzul Al – Quran (17th Ramadhan), etc. Various bazaars and food stalls can be found all over Brunei Darussalam during the fasting month with a delightful selection of exotic foods, drinks and desserts all in one place. Furthermore, throughout the holy month, Muslims in the country perform tarawih prayers at various mosques around the country, with the two most significant mosques consisting of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque.
Preparations for the month were long begun as houses and shops prepared themselves to welcome the month. Once the sighting of the Ramadhan crescent moon was validated, residents took to the streets, chanting Tahleel slogans. Almost all the houses have Ramadhan lanterns hung lit in front of houses.
The month is also observed as a public holiday season in the country and fasting is not linked to the Muslims alone, as non-Muslims are also accustomed to fasting out of respect for Muslims, who make up the majority in the country, and as an evidence of successful social coexistence.
“This is good news for Muslims in this country, in particular, to be able to perform the fasting obligation in a comfortable environment, which is also a blessing to Brunei,” Brunei’s Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah had urged his people to the observation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) outlined by the authorities to continue, adding that it is imperative not to “ignore precautionary measures, for as long as they are needed,” while welcoming the first day of Ramadhan.
One of the inherited traditions in the holy month is that the Sultan of Brunei attends religious ceremonies during Ramadhan in the grand mosque with his ministers and the public. He is keen to prepare soohur for those who worship in the mosque.
With a population of nearly 450,000 people, Brunei Darussalam, a tiny country with tropical forest covering three-quarters of the total land area of 5,765 square kilometres, is one of the world’s richest nations.
This year, as Brunei has put the epidemic under control, Ramadhan markets are full of life and bustling with people from across the world. These Ramadhan markets, located across the country, and with vendors offering Malay-style cakes, barbecue, various drinks and other Muslim delicacies, nights come alive with a large number of people from all ethnic groups reluctant to give up till suhur time, the time for morning prayers.
“Ramadhan in Brunei is an experience altogether. The Iftar, suhur, Ramadhan gatherings, networking and so on and so forth, are something which one shouldn’t miss,” says Dato Sulaini Said, Diplomatic representative of Brunei to the Sultanate.
Brunei is known for its clean, hygienic and sturdy local eateries which serve the customers local delicacies as well as foreign cuisines to the taste and preferences of the people visiting them. Hotels are required not to serve dine-in customers in daylight hours under local law. Consumption of food, drinking and smoking in public places during daylight are also offences under the law, under which offenders can be prosecuted.
“However, non-Muslims can buy fast food takeaway in restaurants or eateries and have them in their houses as a matter of respecting the month,” adds Sulaini.