The best restaurants to break fast this Ramadan in Singapore
Reward yourself with a hearty meal after a long day of fasting.
From March 11 to April 10 this year, Muslims in Singapore observe the month of Ramadan. It is the most sacred month of the Islamic calendar and is about more than just abstaining from food and drink from dawn till dusk. During the holy month, Muslims take the opportunity to self-reflect, repent and purify the soul by practising charitable deeds and acts of compassion, while also refraining from negative thoughts and bad habits.
What happens during fasting?
All healthy and able-bodied Muslims are required to fast during Ramadan, with the exception of children, the elderly, the ill, pregnant women, and women who are nursing or menstruating. They will wake up before sunrise to eat and drink. This pre-dawn meal – called sahur – will be the only thing they consume till sunset. During the day, life goes on as usual whether it is work or school. Remember to be understanding of your colleagues or friends who seem lethargic during the day.
Breaking fast
The moment most Muslims look forward to is sunset when everyone comes together to break fast or iftar with a hearty meal (or even feast). It is usually a communal affair and a chance to reconnect and gather with people they care about.
Since many families rely on Halal delivery services, do that note that your orders might take a longer time to come during peak periods from 6pm to 7pm. A large number of delivery riders are Muslim too and need to break their fast after sunset. So do show a little compassion and understanding if your deliveries take a longer time to arrive.
Other Ramadan activities
In the spirit of giving, there will be a mass iftar happening on March 23 along Arab Street. You can make donations to beneficiaries to attend the mass iftar and break fast together. Alternatively, you can purchase seats to attend the event yourself – part of the proceeds will goto Sultan Mosque and its beneficiary groups.
Another key activity of Ramadan is the nightly congregational prayers called terawih. This year, 69 mosques will be holding terawih prayer, offering up to 110,000 spaces each night. Up to 31 mosque-affiliated Qaryahs will also offer around 12,000 spaces each night throughout the month of Ramadan to accommodate the elderly and those with mobility issues.
The yearly Ramadan bazaar at Geylang Serai is something most people look forward to and this year, there are 500 stalls to explore. The festive markets is held to usher in the holy month, with numerous stalls selling food, clothes, and decorations in preparation for Eid al Fitr. Kampong Gelam is also lighting up with its own Ramadan bazaar – it's a smaller but no less exciting affair, with trendy eats, light shows, and live music performances.
What's next after Ramadan?
To mark the end of the fasting month, Muslims celebrate a day of victory with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore. Families hold gatherings and everyone comes together to seek forgiveness from their elderly and each other.
Read more and get inspired by more Ramadan-related content.
