Festive sights of Ramadhan

Ramadhan – a time where Muslims around the world practice a heightened degree of restraint at the physical, mental and spiritual levels. While this period is indeed the Holy Month, observing Ramadhan in Malaysia has become, oddly enough, a cause for celebration.

Growing up, I had been taught that Aidilfitri is a celebration of an achievement; specifically successfully carrying out the practice of restraint from food and drink, refrain from undesirable thoughts and words, as well as avoidance of cruel actions and behavior. After a month of endurance and reflection, Hari Raya is a time of forgiveness and generosity.

According to Ibn Al-Qayyim, the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would wear his best clothes during his Eid prayers and it is through this interpretation that somehow became the Malaysians central idea in celebrating Aidilfitri. Thus, over the years, Ramadhan in Malaysia has become associated and affiliated with the vibrancy of colours and trends that the multi-ethnic/multi-racial society is famous for.

Throughout the month, I have made it a point to avoid going into Kuala Lumpur, fearing that I would get stuck in traffic and render myself unable to refrain from hurling expletives at some of the less competent drivers on the road. Unfortunately for this photo-assignment, I realised the local community bazaar offered too little in terms of visual variety. Thus, I decided to take a walk along Jalan Tunku Abdul Rahman (TAR), the busiest location during Ramadhan, one fine evening

I happened to go for that walk on the final week of Ramadhan, meaning the streets of Jalan TAR are packed to the brim with street vendors selling not only food but also a varied mix of clothes, shoes, bags, home decorations, accessories, and every trinket imaginable in preparation for the coming festivities.

Of course, the only subject more interesting than the items on display and the eclectic mix of vendors selling them are the people walking these streets. Taking into account that it is still Ramadhan during my visit, it had been definitely interesting to see how individual body languages within the crowd interact with the environment around them. While surrounded by urban smog, temptations of food, and irresistable bargains, when you stop for a while, break away from the madness of the ambience, and take a closer look of your surroundings, you might find some unintentional yet hilarious walking ironies among the humans of Kuala Lumpur that are trapped within the Jalan TAR madness.

This month’s Pixels is my take on the controlled chaos that is the Ramadhan Bazaar at Jalan TAR.