Bernama Journalist Chronicles Her 1st Ramadan Away From Home

By Siti Radziah Hamzah

(Bernama’s journalist Siti Radziah Hamzah who is now stationed in Beijing shares her first experience observing Ramadan in a foreign land) 

BEIJING, April 8 (Bernama) -- As the crescent moon wanes, heralding Ramadan's close, I reflect on a month of faith and unexpected joys in Beijing.

Tasked with the China International Press Centre 2024 assignment, it is my first experience observing Ramadan in a foreign land.

Stepping into this assignment, I ventured out of my journalistic comfort zone, transitioning from my usual focus on economic and corporate narratives to delve into the intricate world of foreign policies and human interest stories.

 Parallel to this professional journey, observing Ramadan and preparing for Aidilfitri in this foreign yet welcoming land has been an odyssey of its own.

As for me, the initial phase of Ramadan brought its own set of trials, from adapting to the solitary management of sahur and iftar timings to acclimatising to the brisk weather that characterises the early days of spring in Beijing. 

However, as the days progressed, the beauty of adaptation and the strength of human connections came to the fore. By the second week, the pace of life here – marrying the demands of my reporting duties with the observance of Ramadan – began to feel more natural. 

My Indonesian colleague, Kamran Dikarma, who echoed my sentiments of longing for the taste of home, said: "I miss the Indonesian food (Saya sudah rindu makanan Indonesia, kak)." This shared longing for our native cuisines brought to light the absence of traditional Ramadan bazaars, a staple back in Malaysia, here in Beijing.

The city, however, offered its own culinary consolations. Middle Eastern restaurants became a haven, providing a semblance of the Ramadan atmosphere with their offerings of rice dishes, grilled meats, kebabs, and more. These meals, while distinct from the flavours of home, were a comforting embrace in a land so far away.

An unexpected gesture of warmth came from my neighbour, a Pakistani diplomat, who, on the eve of my move to another apartment, presented me with a generous offering of fruits, onion rings, channa chaat, and a delightfully large samosa. This act of kindness was a testament to the shared bonds of Ramadan, transcending borders and nationalities.

Further deepening these bonds were the two Pakistani journalists in the programme, who welcomed me to an iftar that rekindled my love for samosas and sparked a hope in me to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri at the Pakistan embassy, yearning for yet another taste of that familiar delicacy.

As my journey in Beijing during this sacred month draws to a close, I am reminded of the universality of the Ramadan experience – its challenges, its blessings, and the way it unites us across cultures and countries.

In this foreign land that I have come to call home for four months, I have found a new understanding of faith, resilience, and the unity of Muslims even in foreign lands.

-- BERNAMA