Friends Of STAR

Real spirit of Ramadan lost in lavish corporate break fast, as with Hari Raya's 'open hotels'

WITH the approach of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, many corporations, statutory bodies and such will be busy arranging the berbuka puasa or breaking fast sessions at 5-star hotels and posh restaurants for clients, employees and friends.

It looks like a normal thing to do. What's wrong in getting 100, maybe 200, people to have dinner together?

Let's take a harder look at the practice. The cost per head ranges from RM100 to RM120. For 200 persons, that would come to between RM20,000 and RM24,000. Not a sum to shout about for a big corporation.

What is served for that amount? Trays of mostly sweet, delicious fare and fruits with pots and pots of chicken, mutton, beef and fish, and not to forget jugs of sweetened water in different colours. And, of course, dates and a sweet porridge to remind one that the occasion is breaking fast during the holy month.

To eat as much as one can after a day of food deprivation that will require a leisurely one hour. As one can't move easily after tucking in, one has to rest for another half an hour. The drive back home may take half an hour to an hour and a half, depending on where one lives. All said, the busy executive is safely back home at 10pm to 10.30pm.

With all these food, there is no time for the Tarawih, the special prayers during Ramadan, or other recommended things one does during the holy month.

This process may be repeated during the period, the frequency depending on the importance of the individual concerned. How did his wife and children break fast? If the wife also attends the same functions, the children will probably break fast with the maid.

Are these in the spirit of Ramadan? It is a month of abstinence when one eats little although plenty may be available, and spends more time on prayers, reading and studying the Quran, among others.

All that is needed are some dates, a bowl of rice or rice porridge, which is easily digestible, and a fruit or two. At these break fast dos, the attendees do the opposite; they tend to eat more than on normal days and gain weight! Just imagine its effects on the health.

Ramadan is also a time for togetherness, where families share the joy of breaking fast and praying together, and little boys follow their fathers to the mosque for Tarawih prayers.

The culture of these berbuka puasa 'parties' turns the fasting month into a feasting month, subverting its real spirit and benefits it should bring to individuals, families and the Muslim ummah.

After the fasting month, of course, come the grand corporate Hari Raya open house galore where huge amounts are spent to fete well-heeled guests.

Open houses have become an integral part of a uniquely Malaysian culture and it is one that Malaysians should preserve. Let us keep it as such where we open up our houses for neighbours, relatives and colleagues to share the joy of the occasion with us, be it Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas or others.

But the corporate functions are really 'open hotels'. I ask, why should corporations and other bodies spend big money on them? Their customers and employees will understand and probably appreciate it more if these sums go to the poor. Buy them new clothes, provisions, repair a leaking roof, help pay their medical bills, donate dialysis machines or fulfill any of the 1001 needs of these people instead.

They will remember such help for the rest of their lives. That is what Islam encourages us to do, especially during Ramadan.

Corporations may say they are already doing that under their Corporate Social Responsibility programmes. That may be true, but are there not so many other causes that cry out for help?

Wouldn't all the money be better spent on worthy causes than wasted on immediately forgotten berbuka puasa 'parties' and 'open hotels'?

Ismail Shariff

Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur

via The Malay Mail