Buka Puasa/ Breaking Fast Gatherings 2015

Ramadhan 2015 in Malaysia began the first day of fasting on Thursday, 18th of June. Ramadhan is the ninth month of year based on the Islamic Lunar Calendar. It is a holy month observed worldwide by Muslims. One of the main activities is fasting from dawn to sunset. Fasting requires no eating or drinking. In Kelantan the canteen is shut the entire month.

Buka Puasa Gatherings are very common during the last 10 days of Ramadhan. Usually, it is an event held at school, during sunset, where teachers, parents and villagers can mingle and share the holiday spirit. Some schools choose to make a team building event where all the teachers and their families gather at restaurant to buka. I was invited to both type events this year.  I was also fortunate, my best friend (my wife) accompanied me to these community events.

The season kicked off with SK Kampong Berangan's Buka. They held it at the school, and tasty plates of delectables were scattered throughout the Dewan.  They also had fresh glasses of air tuak(coconut nectar) and air terbuk(sugar can)available, The local imam led supplications until the sunset, then we all broke our fast together.

The teachers at SK Pangong chose to have their buka party at Bypass Seafood Restoran in Pasir Puteh. The place was packed with all the smiling faces of teachers and their families. Since it was catered, no teacher had to harness the burden of cleaning up. The place is well known for their flavoursome ikan 3 rasa. T Zalina was kind enough to include us in one of her family's tables. It was very pleasant time.

SK Banggol Pak Esah had theirs at school. The GB, invited the Imam of Tarawih from Masjid Muhaddiyya (PP) to attend as well. The teachers and their families gathered in the canteen for the festive event.  All the teachers and families were buzzing with excitement as sunset approached.

I also attended another TELL2 schools event in Jeli.  I was invited to attend SK Pendok's Buka Event with coworkers Ian and Philip.  The GB, Ustaz Rafie, also invited the first class from the school's opening 50 years ago to attend. It was a joy to listen to the living history and hear the numerous changes the school has underwent overtime.

All the multiple venues with the various arrangements, had two common threads. The first thread was of bonding and the second thread was tasty food. It was a blessed month and these events are definitely fond memories.