Wednesday, September 03, 2008

2.9.08 (Tue) - Ramadhan Away From Home

Today is the second day of fasting month, the month where Muslims have to be more self-disciplined and self-restraint. It's only the second day but I could feel that fasting in Malaysia is much merrier than fasting here in this desertland. Could it be because Home's always the best? Maybe.

UAE is an Islamic country too and the mosques here will be illuminated for the whole Ramadhan and no doubt be full with worshippers for tarawih prayers. However, it's kinda unsual to hear that some mosques here do not accept muslimahs for tarawih. I mean to say that they do not provide a place for muslimahs to pray. Luckily, the mosque near our apartment is muslimah friendly. Anyway, it's no big deal I suppose as we can also perform tarawih prayers at home on our own even though it may take more than your guts to self-discipline yourself because there are so many temptations to make you forget your tarawih when you're at home. There are also lots of kurma here and if you are lucky can get fresh ones which are more delicious and ciku-like taste. In fact, kurma trees can be seen everywhere in Dubai.

However, I feel that there's something amiss here. What is the thing that Malaysia has during Ramadhan that other countries do not have? It's none other than the so-much-awaited once-a-year a month-long Ramadhan bazaar. In Malaysia, I just wonder why fasting month is always associated with food fest...? If you try to google Ramadhan bazaar, you can only find it in Malaysia. Well, I do not know if there's also Ramadhan bazaar in other parts of the world but with a different name. If anyone knows, please let me know.

*Gambar sekadar hiasan

Although I am aware that Ramadhan does not mean you have to be extravagant on food, the Ramadhan bazaar is just too good to resist. I always went to Ramadhan bazaar on the way back from fetching Along and Ain at school. Just bought a few kuih and the kids' favourite bubur lambuk.

*The famous bubur lambuk Masjid Kg Baru

It's not that I do not know a thing on how to make those kuihs. But why should go through all the trouble when almost every kuih you want is there. You just need to tunjuk and get it in an instant. Isn't it sooo easy? Here...I really cannot show my tunjuk-menunjuk skill . Everything the family want I have to make but it's ok as long as my kids will get healthy and hygienic food, that will be good enough. Besides, I can also develop my cooking skills (konon la kan...).

Heard that there will be Ramadhan bazaar here in Dubai organised by the Malaysians UAE committee. The first time ever. Wah...Dubai Ramadhan bazaar, sound interesting. Though it will only be held every Friday (an off day here), it is really a good news to the many Malay-food-craving Malaysians here. The Malaysians themselves are invited to open stalls. Our Consul General is very kind enough to let us converge at his residence for the Ramadhan bazaar.

Frankly speaking, I initially was interested in opening my own stalls selling kuihs or bubur manis, not so much of getting untung but just to memeriahkan suasana. It's one way I can see and get to know more Malaysians here...and have the feel of Ramadhan bazaar away from Malaysia. Must be something interesting. But unfortunately we have no transport. How are we going to carry all those things to the place? Have a ride in other's car? I have three kids plus my hubby and the things, how to accomodate everything? Kalau I sorang or berdua je senang la nak tumpang, ni I dengan anak-anak lagi sape nak tumpangkan ye tak. It seems that we may not have the chance at all to experience that Dubai Ramadhan bazaar as it is not easy to get a cab from that place...hhmm (sigh). Kempunan nampaknya I nak tengok bazaar Ramadhan Dubai.

Well, it's ok. I will just sit at home for the whole Ramadhan and cook for my hubby and my kids. Enough. I guess I'll be granted more pahala. InsyaAllah.


p/s - Ukur baju di badan sendiri...

11 comments:

me and i said...

a question to ponder kan bila tengok bazaar ramadhan.. live to eat or eat to live

Mem Aluya said...

Amin and I are not keen of the bazaar ramadhan. We hardly see the food... parking leceh and asyik nampak orang je. It has been years kami tak pi pasar puasa. Beli foods and kuehs kat area Seri Suria jer. Banyak stalls. Cukuplah bukan nak beli banyak pun. Kami berdua jer.

But this year, both Amin and I will find a way to get to the pasar puasa. Nak cari kuih akok, tepung pelita, nasi tomato and pulut panggang.

Perhaps, our neighbours have an extra car. Who knows if they can give you and the family a ride. Tak pun boleh try tanya kat group. Mana tau ada yang bujang solo nak pegi sorang.

Insya Allah orang akan faham kalau kita bagitau masalah kita. Macam dulu, sebelum datang saya dah siap-siap tanya kat group itu ini semua saya tanya... apa nak bawa... bla bla bla. Now I'm sleeping like a baby with all my bantal busuk. Hohoho. Sayangnya tak de respon suruh saya bawa kuali wok.

Recently ada kawan dalam kesusahan juga, bila digembur-gemburkan, semalaman masalah settled.
Otherwise makan masa baru nak settle. Terpaksa lah buang segan untuk bertanya. Besides, bukan selama-lamanya kita nak harap orang kan. Insya Allah, kemudian hari Kakak anak beranak naik H5 :)

I'm sure fellow Malaysians faham and dapat membantu. No biggie. Insya Allah.

Mem Aluya said...

Ya ampun... sorry komen macam buat entri kat blog seniri ;p

Imeirda said...

Salam.
Ziela, hiba hati dengor keluhan kengkawan gini. kita masak-masak n tunjuk2 kat umah kita sendirik jelah. I pun teringin nak berjualan tapi babahnya cakap takut tuan kedai takdak dok kejar anak. hehehe. sesekali jumaat lagi satu ke kita masuk ramai2 dlm Cadillac n kita jamu mata kat bazaar k.

teringin air tebu. ada jual dak?

tini said...

ziela, i pon hiba juga baca yr entry. ye lah setiap orang ada kesedihan sendiri dibulan ramadhan..tapi bersyukur u sambut ramadhan dengan family disisi, itu paling penting (unlike me, tiap kali buka, rasa nak nangis..huhuhu)

and i setuju dengan cadangan kakak tiri, i'm sure ramai malaysian yang boleh bantu sebab kami2 yg drive kat sini faham kesukaran kawan2..macam myself n another fren kita dah buat turn untuk bawak kawan2 ke bazaar, at least nanti semua dapat merasa walaupun sekali saja..

satu lagi cadangan, why not try ambik car-lift. usually dia org boleh tunggu. lagipun bukannya lama kan stall, ada about 10-15 saja, 30+ mins pun cukup..

domestic engineer said...

Naza, you know what our LO kat PPD H.Lgt mat salleh Mr Hugh said Malaysians are the second society after Italians who would be all out for food. Sanggup datang all the way from KL to Penang or vice versa just to eat certain food (an example he gave). I find it to be somehow true!

domestic engineer said...

It's ok Mem, small matter je. Like you said takkan selamanya kita nak harapkan orang kan. If only kita bule shipping skali keta kita dr Msia free-free je masa shipping barang2 hr tu, kan ke best ek.

domestic engineer said...

Thank you Mrs Z for your concern. Tak boleh bayangkan mana nak meniaga lagi, mana nak jaga cekenit-cekenit debot tu lagi...ha ha ha. Mesti father diorang risau kena jadi baby-sitter pulak nanti. In this case, should give priority to the kids.

Ya la, ada ke tanam tebu kat padang pasir ni?

domestic engineer said...

Ya la kan Tini, ramai lagi orang lain yang lebih susah dan patut berhiba dari kita kan. Part berbuka sorang2 teringat hubby yang jauh di mata tu memang syahdu. Kalu I pun sure banjir punya la.

Thanks for the idea!

Anonymous said...

Ziela, I have been performing my terawikh at home ever since I became a mother. I wish in time to come I will be able to go to the mosque and pray there instead when my son ni dah reti duk diam and tak kacau orang. I dont want other people to be distracted by his funny antics and failed to stay khusuk. You know sometimes kite pun geram tgk anak orang yang mengacau and lari sana sini. I dont want to contribute to that picture.

And like you said yes, to perform trawikh kat rumah requires more discipline.

domestic engineer said...

Respect la Wiz!