Food For Thought

“Bless the meat
Damn the skin
Open your mouth
And cram it in”

“Lord be praised, my belly’s raised
An inch above the table;
And I’ll be blowed if I’ve not stowed
As much as I am able”
(From “I Saw Esau” edited by Iona & Peter Opie)

The Ramadhan bazaars are a heaven-sent indeed to the starving Muslims who fast diligently during the day. From 4pm onwards, they flock the bazaars, checking out the mediocre offerings sold at cutthroat prices. Quality, of course, not assured. But buy we must. It’s food, we need to feed ourselves. We deserve all the good food in the world because we fast from dawn to dusk. The more food we buy, the merrier will the iftar be.

And the world owe it to us because we fast! Non-Muslims who do not fast must not encroach our fasting domain. (The same rule, however, does not apply to Muslims who do not fast). Stay away from the bazaars. Stay away from all eateries when the muezzin is about to call the azaan. Be considerate and clear the tables because I, a Muslim, am fasting and I need that spot so I can break my fast in peace.

Big deal!

Self-control is non-existent. We let our gluttonous behaviour rule us as the hours of the day move on, for Ramadhan is the time when we appease every little gastronomic whim and fancy.

Have we really forgotten what Ramadhan is all about? Other than the usual abstaining from food and drink (and sex) during the day, we seem to overlook the fact that fasting is all about disciplining the body and mind. Refraining from life’s little pleasures like food and drinks should make it easier for us to be grateful for what we have.

But Malaysia is food-galore. And Malaysians live to eat.

We fast because, at the end of the day, we get to eat.

And now, I start my quest for that perfect Ayam Percik. Only in Ramadhan.