Ramadan: Malaysians share their overseas experience and challenges

KUALA LUMPUR: Extreme whether conditions and long fasting hours are some of the challenges face by Malaysians working or studying overseas.

Through Astro AWANI’s Facebook and Twitter, we asked our followers if they have observed fast elsewhere in the world. We received plenty of responses, each sharing their unique experiences.

What’s for sure, Malaysians try their best to embrace the local culture despite being far from home and missing local delicacies which can be found at the Ramadan bazaar.


Ayie Robben, who is based at Al Ain, United Arab Emirates said that Muslims there fast for an approximate 15 hours and 12 minutes.

“The temperature is 50 degrees Celsius. We usually eat Arab rice or western food every day," he said

Ayie said there are around 200 Malaysians in Al Ain. Many of them work for an aerospace company.


Doha-based Mohd Ghazali said the Muslims there would fast for a few hours longer than those in Malaysia.

“The Subuh starts at 3.15am while Maghib starts at 6.30pm. We fast for 15.5 hours,” he said.

Nadia A Zawawi shared her experience of fasting for almost 20 hours in Dublin, Ireland.

“It’s more than a dugaan (challenge). Sahur/Imsak is at 2.55am and berbuka/Maghrib is at 9.59pm. Isyak is at 11.29pm. Summer and the Irish ‘heatwave’ is here at 20 to 28 degrees Celsius, with high pollen count.

“Yes, it’s not as hot and humid as home in Malaysia but 20 hours is still 20 hours. But we can still fast,” she shared.

We received even more interesting stories on Twitter:







Have you ever fast in a foreign country? Share your story with us here, Facebook or Twitter.