Ramadan In Malaysia

Last night we arrived in Kuala Lumpur at about 10 pm, shortly after fasting was broken on the first day of Ramadan. Ramadan is the Muslim holy period, usually lasting 30 days but changing dates each year in accordance with the Isamic lunar calendar.  Among other things, Ramadan encourages charity and requires the observant to fast during daylight. This isn't so bad here near the equator, with about twelve hours of light most of the year, but think about Ireland, or northern Maine, or Alaska, when darkness may last only a few scant hours. Hungry times for the devout, intended to help people put aside physical desires and weaknesses and look inward at themselves and their faith. 

After listening to the call to prayer at dawn this morning (and promptly going back to sleep), we visited the National Mosque, where we had a long and interesting chat with a volunteer host about the nature of Ramadan and how Muslim prayer works (for example, she explained to us that male-female segregation in the mosque is not because women are inferior, but for modesty in densely packed spaces where people bow from their knees towards the backside of the person just in front of them). 

We also visited the Islamic Arts Museum, which has a very cool collection of textiles, illuminated Qurans, artifacts, and my personal favorite, "arms and armour," which included some very elaborate firearms from the 17th and 18th centuries.

(Not the greatest photo, but check out these dragon pistols!)

It was a great experience, with some interesting insights into this Muslim nation that is trying very hard to be secular.

We spent the rest of the day exploring the central market, eating great food, and getting a feel for the place. Now the monsoons are rolling in, with a dark horizon, rumbling thunder, and a few heavy drops falling. A great time for a gin and tonic with our host, Inger, and to ponder the history of this place.