he holy month of Ramadan is approaching and in two days, Muslims and non-Muslims alike in Malaysia will be ushering in the first day of fasting.

We all know that for Muslims, this is a special month. All prayers and good deeds count for more and people take advantage of the heightened spirituality to get closer to God.

That’s all fine and good. I enjoy the month, too, and it’s usually a serene time for me. But I thought I would take a bit of a dig in ushering in the month.

So here is a list of top seven things that I think we should be able to look forward to come this Ramadan 2014:

7. Bulging buckles and expanding waistlinesThis one isn’t much of a surprise. Every time people fast during the month, gluttony sets in when evening comes as the hunger in their stomach dictates the amount of food they buy and consume at dusk during breaking fast.

And to think that so many people look forward to a month of dieting and losing weight!

6. The loss of Malay identity

Malaysians used to be comfortable in their own skin a decade or two ago. But now, it seems that to be more Arabic is the way to be more Islamic. Breaking of fast was usually always referred to as “berbuka puasa”.

But these days, the Arab word “iftar” is brandied around as cool lingo. Same as how “sembahyang” is now more commonly referred to as “solat” and “tudung” replaced with “hijab”.

5. Stinky breath

About 60% of the country’s population is going to suffer from bad breath since they won’t be using their mouths much aside from talking.

Of course, this is with the assumption that all 60% of the Malays are practising Muslims and are fasting during the month. And this would be a really cool transition into the next point…

– See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/zan-azlee/article/top-7-things-to-anticipate-this-ramadan#sthash.DIB9VcmR.dpuf

he holy month of Ramadan is approaching and in two days, Muslims and non-Muslims alike in Malaysia will be ushering in the first day of fasting.

We all know that for Muslims, this is a special month. All prayers and good deeds count for more and people take advantage of the heightened spirituality to get closer to God.

That’s all fine and good. I enjoy the month, too, and it’s usually a serene time for me. But I thought I would take a bit of a dig in ushering in the month.

So here is a list of top seven things that I think we should be able to look forward to come this Ramadan 2014:

7. Bulging buckles and expanding waistlinesThis one isn’t much of a surprise. Every time people fast during the month, gluttony sets in when evening comes as the hunger in their stomach dictates the amount of food they buy and consume at dusk during breaking fast.

And to think that so many people look forward to a month of dieting and losing weight!

6. The loss of Malay identity

Malaysians used to be comfortable in their own skin a decade or two ago. But now, it seems that to be more Arabic is the way to be more Islamic. Breaking of fast was usually always referred to as “berbuka puasa”.

But these days, the Arab word “iftar” is brandied around as cool lingo. Same as how “sembahyang” is now more commonly referred to as “solat” and “tudung” replaced with “hijab”.

5. Stinky breath

About 60% of the country’s population is going to suffer from bad breath since they won’t be using their mouths much aside from talking.

Of course, this is with the assumption that all 60% of the Malays are practising Muslims and are fasting during the month. And this would be a really cool transition into the next point…

– See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/zan-azlee/article/top-7-things-to-anticipate-this-ramadan#sthash.DIB9VcmR.dpuf

he holy month of Ramadan is approaching and in two days, Muslims and non-Muslims alike in Malaysia will be ushering in the first day of fasting.

We all know that for Muslims, this is a special month. All prayers and good deeds count for more and people take advantage of the heightened spirituality to get closer to God.

That’s all fine and good. I enjoy the month, too, and it’s usually a serene time for me. But I thought I would take a bit of a dig in ushering in the month.

So here is a list of top seven things that I think we should be able to look forward to come this Ramadan 2014:

7. Bulging buckles and expanding waistlinesThis one isn’t much of a surprise. Every time people fast during the month, gluttony sets in when evening comes as the hunger in their stomach dictates the amount of food they buy and consume at dusk during breaking fast.

And to think that so many people look forward to a month of dieting and losing weight!

6. The loss of Malay identity

Malaysians used to be comfortable in their own skin a decade or two ago. But now, it seems that to be more Arabic is the way to be more Islamic. Breaking of fast was usually always referred to as “berbuka puasa”.

But these days, the Arab word “iftar” is brandied around as cool lingo. Same as how “sembahyang” is now more commonly referred to as “solat” and “tudung” replaced with “hijab”.

5. Stinky breath

About 60% of the country’s population is going to suffer from bad breath since they won’t be using their mouths much aside from talking.

Of course, this is with the assumption that all 60% of the Malays are practising Muslims and are fasting during the month. And this would be a really cool transition into the next point…

– See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/zan-azlee/article/top-7-things-to-anticipate-this-ramadan#sthash.DIB9VcmR.dpuf