It's Ramadan, August 1-31, and we're in the primarily Muslim region of Malaysia, Sabah on the island of Borneo. We spent our first few days here on the river Kinabatangan, on a jungle safari, cruising for orangutans, proboscis monkeys, birds, and other wildlife.
When we met the guides, young Malaysian men who were very knowledgeable about all things wildlife, they shook Brian’s hand, but apologized to me. The rules of Ramadan dictate that they cannot touch a woman for the 30 days. In addition, the men were not allowed to eat during the sunlight hours, relegating them to a schedule of waking at 3am to eat before sun-up and waiting until 6:30pm to break the fast. While we chowed down on delicious Malaysian food, they watched from the sidelines.
Five times a day, the staff disappeared into their staff room to pray. I asked where Mecca was, and the guide was confused. He said they just prayed to the sign. What sign? Later, when I started paying attention, I realized this sign was in every public space we entered, including our hotel room.
Meanwhile, we’re enjoying the food, the beer, and the hospitality. And we’re praying for good weather as we prepare to dive Sipidan.
Hopefully you are praying in the right direction and at all the appropriate times.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you are eating and drinking in front of the fasting guides. Some muslim civilians work on our base, and we are not allowed to eat outside, and the smoker's area is screened in so that we are sensitive to their culture. Ugly Americans!