Selamat Hari Raya (Ramadan and Hari Raya for dummies)

This weekend is "Hari Raya", a three day festival on the Muslim calendar celebrated by Muslim communities around the world.  Hari Raya is one of the most significant religious events for Muslims as it marks the end of the Ramadan, a month of fasting, worship and reflection.  

Interestingly, I was first introduced to some of the practical aspects of Ramadan when I was working in the financial sector here in Singapore.  We had scheduled some of our Malaysian colleagues to be in our Singapore premises smack in the middle of Ramadan and had to make the necessary arrangements such that those who were fasting and praying could do so, at the workplace, and with relative comfort and ease.  Fasting during Ramadan calls for no eating (or drinking!!) from day-break to sun-set each day, so evening meals are hugely important.  As such we had to ensure that evening meals we arranged for our colleagues were awesome Halal* feasts, fit for a king... in the (thinly veiled) hope that they didn't begrudge us too much for making them travel away from their families at such an important time!

Actually my hairdresser, who is Malay, was instrumental in helping me through.  He even got me a great deal on prayer mats and slippers** from the store neighbouring his salon and all in all I felt like I understood the basic rhythms of Ramadan.... but this week I have been researching activities Miss May and I could undertake to mark the occasion and I have discovered much more!

I have found myself focusing on the symbols of Ramadan and Hari Raya and how children, who are Muslim, are celebrating at this time.

When Christian kids think of Christmas they conger up images of christmas trees, holly sprigs and presents.  What symbols represent Hari Raya and Ramadan for Muslim kids?  Here are some I discovered...

Moon and Stars... Luna phases are the basis for the Muslim Calendar so images of the crescent moon and a star studded night sky are probably the most common symbols of Ramadan.

Cannon... a cannon is fired at the official setting of the sun each day of the Ramadan to alert everyone that it is time to chow down.  This seems to be more prevalent in Arab nations where people will apparently gather together with food to await the cannon's fire.  I havent noticed any Cannon action here in Singapore or elsewhere in Asia, but perhaps the symbolism is still meaningful here?  Not sure.

The Ramadan Drummer... traditionally a drummer would walk the streets each morning of Ramadan drumming loudly to wake everyone before the call to morning prayer so they could eat before sunrise and fasting.  Again it seems that although still practiced in places like Turkey and Albania it has been replaced with iphones and alarm clocks here in Singapore.

The Ramadan Lantern... a little like Christmas carolling, kids during Raamdan in some parts of the world will carry colourful lanterns and sing traditional songs.  In reward they are given food and sweets.

Dates... (the ones you eat)... my hairdresser was telling me about this one.  It is said that one should not break fast with heavy food and so many attest to the benefits of eating dates and drinking juice to be gentler on the stomach.  Indeed at our local super market at this time of year there are dates from all over the world on offer, though often extremely expensive!

Mosque.. probably the most recognisable symbology for someone like me (on the outside looking in).  Mosques are often depicted as black silhouetted buildings with a rising (or setting) sun in the background.

FOOD... here in Singapore most roads lead to a feast of some kind.  Singaporeans love their food, its a national obsession and for the Muslim community Ramandan is an opportunity to really enjoy traditional malay foods.   Street stalls with all kinds of delicious hawker delights are set up around the mosques and people meander around and choose to their liking... it's all about food in the end!

A good friends who is Muslim said that Raamdan as a kid was a really special and bonding time for his family.  I can imagine that after a day of fasting, when a family come together around the table to share the evening meal that they must all be particularly grateful for the delicious meal that they share together.

Salemat Hari Raya everyone!

Singapore National Day...

Well... our national day holiday started at 6am when our daughter woke up and started thumping her feet against her bedroom door... repeatedly.  We woke and thought television was probably a poor choice of activities so given it was already 30C outside we decided to paint!  

Thank you Ashley for coming out so early and helping Miss May with her National Day bunting!

Pancakes, Swimming, Chicken Rice, nap, BBQ, late to bed... I could not have designed a better National Day holiday day if I tried!

GOLD GOLD GOLD....

I have to admit I am not so taken in the 'sporty' aspects of the Olympics.  "What else is there?" I hear you asking.... oh where should I begin?

I loved hearing that Vladimer Putin arrived in London with the expressed purpose of supporting Team Russia, most notably the Russian Judo competitors (Vladimer himself is a revered blackbelt in the sport).  Of course while in town he met with Davo Cameron and no doubt the conversation deviated a little from Judo???

I cringed when I heard that the North Korean women's soccer team walked off the field before their very first game after members of the team noticed that the South Korean flag had mistakenly been displayed next to their names on the big screen.  OUCH!

I rolled my eyes and shook my head and groaned when I heard US Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney question London's readiness... and on the eve of the games no less!   Just funny!!!

I smiled listening to a BBC reporter a couple of days ago describing London 2012 as the "Women's Olympics"!  For the first time women are competing in every sport, and every country at the games as sent at least one female competitor (Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei for the first time).  Moreover the interest in female sports is apparently up on previous years and crowds at some of the female team events are at record levels.  My husband reckons the women's soccer is without doubt more international and probably more exiting to watch that the guys!

I totally LOVED the getup worn by female archery competitors!  Especially the hats and especially the South Korean team... too cute!

Miss May is utterly uninterested, even more so than I...   but she did like the BLING of her very own gold medal!

This weekend in Singapore: Istana Art Event 2012

Sunday, 5 August 2012  | 8:00am to 5:00pm Istana (entrance via the Orchard Road main gate) The Istana Art Event 2012 is an annual outreach event organised by the National Heritage Board and led by the Singapore Art Museum. Taking place on 5th August 2012 at the Istana, visitors can look forward to the annual On-the-Spot Art Competition and fun craft activities at the Arts and Heritage Village. Programme Highlights 8.00am - 10.00am: On-The-Spot Art Competition: Collection of Official IAE Art Paper 9.00am - 11.00am: On-The-Spot Art Competition: Submission of Entries 9.00am - 5.00pm: Activities at the Arts & Heritage Village 12.30pm: Announcement of Winners for On-The-Spot Art Competition 12.30pm - 5.00pm: Exhibition of Winning Entries for On-The-Spot Art Competition 1.00pm - 1.30pm: Prize Presentation Ceremony for Winners of On-The-Spot Art Competition by President Tony Tan Please note that all times shown are indicative and may be subject to change. Istana Art On-The-Spot Art Competition  Celebrate our Nation’s birthday with a difference! Calling all children aged 3 to 12, this is the chance to showcase your creativity by joining the Istana Art Event On-The-Spot Art Competition. The first 1000 participants who submit their artworks will stand to receive an Istana Art Event goodie bag. Prizes Junior Category (Ages 3 to 6)*  First Prize: $150 worth of prizes Second Prize: $120 worth of prizes Third Prize: $80 worth of prizes Merit Prize: 6 x $50 worth of prizes Intermediate Category (Ages 7-12)* First Prize: $200 worth of prizes Second Prize: $150 worth of prizes Third Prize: $100 worth of prizes Merit Prize: 6 x $80 worth of prizes *Age at 31st January 2012. Note: Only official IAE Art Paper will be provided and accepted as entries. Participants may use their choice of colouring mediums. The judges’ decision is final, organisers reserve the right not to award prizes if submitted works are not up to standard. All winners must be present at the prize presentation ceremony to qualify for their prize. All unclaimed prizes at the end of the ceremony will be forfeited. *General Information on the Istana Open House  Admission hours will be from 8am to 5pm. Entrance to the Istana grounds is via the main gate at Orchard Road. Entry to the Istana grounds will be free for Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents, and S$1 for others. Entry into the Istana Main Building is ticketed at S$2.00 each. Entry into the Istana Main Building is complimentary for all On-The-Spot Art Competition participants. All entry admissions charged will go towards supporting the President’s Challenge. For more information about the Istana Art Event and the On-The-Spot Art Competition, please refer to this list of FAQs.