My First Ramadan in Malaysia

I landed in Malaysia on the 2nd of March, the 13th day of fasting in Ramadan. Experiencing the start of a fast and breaking it in a completely different time zone was quite interesting, and thankfully, not too difficult. This Ramadan became the most memorable for me, for bittersweet reasons. From feeling the warmth of both local and international communities to the heartbreak of saying goodbye to my family, it was a rollercoaster of emotions that embraced me before I was ready.

My family and I first checked into a gorgeous Airbnb, where we had our first few iftars. I savored the taste of my mother’s halva, a dessert she makes especially for me. For our first iftar outside, my uncle took us to a wonderful place right beside the Petronas Twin Towers. This was the day we finally got to explore Kuala Lumpur city, after my visa procedures with the university.

It was magnificent. Just as there is diversity in the population, there is diversity in the architecture as well. The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, with its mix of Neo-Mughal and Indo-Saracenic styles, stood out to me the most as we drove past. The blend of British and Mughal influences carved into something so beautiful was truly a sight worth savoring.

The Merdeka 118 is almost always visible from everywhere. I can see it from my window here at KK13, from the Airbnb we stayed in, and from almost any road we take. It feels almost like the sun that follows you everywhere. But as we got closer, its shape looked even more exquisite.

The city views are honestly stunning, and they become even more beautiful at night. When we arrived at our iftar venue, I couldn’t stop smiling. It was a buffet with countless dishes, both local and international. The place was lit up with warm fairy lights, and the views were spectacular. The staff were friendly and helpful, and I loved how people from all religions were present. Iftar is something meant to be shared, and the atmosphere felt so diverse and inclusive.

There were little kids in deep purple traditional clothing, elderly people, couples, foreigners and locals. It was truly beautiful. After iftar, we walked toward the towers, and in just one street, I heard Chinese, Japanese, Hindi, Arabic, and English. Such a diverse place. On the way back to our car, I remember telling my family that I wished the night would never end, that I could somehow relive that moment again and again.

Two days later, we visited the Putra Mosque in Putrajaya. The views were breathtaking. The way different colors of flowers blended with the buildings, and the unique design of the bridge leading into the city, made it feel like something out of a painting. It was there that I discovered one of my favorite things about Malaysia: after praying, the people next to you smile and shake your hand.

At first, I was surprised. Back home, we don’t really have this culture, and it can sometimes feel awkward sitting close to someone without speaking or making eye contact. But here, that simple smile makes such a difference. It has become one of my favorite things about being here.

That evening, we had iftar at a local Malaysian restaurant. It was quite different from our first iftar outside, which had more tourists and international crowds. This one honestly felt like breaking fast at someone’s home rather than at a restaurant. The people were welcoming, and the local food was amazing.

I also had an iftar at an Arab restaurant. One thing I love about Malaysia is that you can find authentic Arab, Malay, Chinese, Indian, Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Western food, often prepared by people from those very cultures. For this iftar, it was just me, my family, and my friends from Asia Pacific University. It was a great way to catch up and also learn from students who had gone through their first experiences here. You quickly realize that you’re not alone.

Another thing about Malaysian mosques is how fulfilling the food is and how approachable the people are. I even made a new friend at the National Mosque of Malaysia, who’s a former UM student now teaching German. And a small but memorable detail, there are so many cats! Adorable cats both inside and outside the mosque, clearly part of the community. They’re very friendly and they love cuddles.

While the people, architecture, friendly cats, and new friendships made this Ramadan feel warm and welcoming, saying goodbye to my family in the middle of Ramadan made it deeply emotional. Not being able to hold back tears while eating my mother’s cooking made this Ramadan feel less festive and more introspective.

It made me realize that sometimes, we have to carry more love than we think we can bear. And perhaps, that in itself is a privilege.