Since this is the month of Ramadan, I will be featuring photos that I took during a visit to a night Bazaar in Geylang Serai in Singapore.
After sunset, Muslims who fasted all day file into the night bazaar, while food stall holders dish out freshly cooked food. The Arabic term for the evening breakfast is Iftar, while in Malaysia and Indonesia, the breaking of fast is termed “berbuka puasa” and “buka puasa” respectively.
This is the first in a series of photos that I will be posting on the Ramadan Bazaar.
The night markets bristle with activity especially around the Islamic month of Ramadan, which culminates with the Hari Raya Puasa.
For 2013, Ramadan is from 10 July to 7 August.
During this month, Muslims fast during daylight hours and break their fast only after sunset.
Another photo of the lady in the earlier photo. Both photos taken with a Nikon D600 with AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR lens. Photo credit: John Tan
From what I remember of Social Studies back in Primary School, the essence of the Ramadan is for believers to appreciate the hardships of life and hunger that the less fortunate members of society have to go through – and to reflect upon the pious teachings of the religion.
Naturally, the month represents much more to Muslims than the oversimplified impression of a fellow-countryman above.
The Ramadan Bazaar comes alive after sunset, when Muslims who had fasted all day visit the night market with friends or family to break their fast, and browse through the many stalls that sell all manner of goods in preparation of Hari Raya Puasa.
Tags: bazaar, Islam, markets, Muslims, night, photography, photos, potd, Ramadan