Malaysians Lament 'Secularized' Ramadan
IslamOnline.net & News Agencies
Scholars lament that youths leave Tarawih prayer for
merriment at luxurious malls.
KUALA LUMPUR Malaysian scholars blasted Friday, October 2, the
commercialization of Ramadan, lamenting that the holy fasting month is becoming
increasingly "secularized."
"During this month the Muslims are supposed to put aside their lust and
concentrate on their spirituality," Harussani Zakaria, the mufti from northern
Perak state, told Agence France-Presse (AFP) Friday, October 20.
"But in our country, they fast the whole day because they have no choice but
to do so and at night it is as if they are out in a vengeance the way they
flock to the malls, bazaars and all types of entertainment outlets," he added.
The fasting month, which ends next week with Eid al-Fitr celebrations, is
supposed to be a time of self-denial and reflection during which Muslims
abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and sex from dawn to dusk.
But instead, religious leaders complain, many people are more interested in
hunting bargains at Ramadan sales, attending concerts and breaking their fast
at sumptuous buffets laid on by every hotel and restaurant.
"It is only in Malaysia that the commercialization of the holy month is so
prevalent. You get an overdose of concerts, TV shows and all sorts of sales
gimmicks. This is wrong in Islam."
"Secularized"
Harussani said that Ramadan is being increasingly secularised.
"I think the main reason is not because people have all that much money to
spend but it is because the spirit of Islam itself is not deep. People do not
really understand the whole reason of fasting and Ramadan," he said.
Leading consumer activist Mohamad Idris laments businesses and advertisers
are taking advantage of the season to promote spending sprees and gluttony.
"This not only is against Islam but it can also shake a Muslim's faith,"
Mohamed said.
"Shopping malls and corporate companies are competing with each other to use
the festive season to sell their products and services."
"Malls are packed with shoppers every night this season, when they are
supposed to actually pack the mosques to perform prayers and meditate on the
Qur'an," he said.
Retail giant Metrojaya estimates that the last three months of the year
account for 60 percent of their annual business, and about half of that is
generated by sales during Ramadan.
"This is the time to catch people with extra pocket money," said its
assistant general manager for sales and promotions, Alice Tan.
"For all retailers, this is a festive season where we do a lot of promotions
to generate sales," she said.
Mohamed, who has called for a total ban on the use of Ramadan and Eid to
advertise products and services, said that the nation's poor often fall prey to
the marketing campaigns.
"They are trapped into buying expensive things that they do not need and in
the end they are debt-laden," he said.
"What limited income they have is further eroded by overspending and
overindulging."
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