Marhaban Yaa Ramadan. Ramadan, a month we’ve been looking forward to, Alhamdulillah has arrived. Joy fills the hearts of Muslims all over the world.
The atmosphere of Ramadan is visible and can be felt by those of us who live in a Muslim majority country. The anticipation for the announcement of the beginning of Ramadan, crowded mosques and prayer rooms during Tarawih prayers, the atmosphere of a seasonal Ramadan market that sells a variety of food and drink to break the fast.
That’s the atmosphere that we usually experience, people who live in a Muslim-majority country, especially Indonesia. So, how is the atmosphere of Ramadan in Australia, where the majority populations are non-Muslim?
Based on 2016 Census data, the majority of Australians are Catholic (22.6%) and the Muslim population of Australia is 2.6%. Australia is a multicultural country with modern democracy. Despite the secular system, the Australian state is open to religious teachings. Its citizens have the freedom to follow and practice religion.
Islam is the 4th most widely practiced religion in Australia. The majority of Muslims are immigrants and their descendants who come from various countries in Asia, Europe, and Africa. Other than Australian citizens, the Muslim population living in Australia is also dominated by immigrants, including from Indonesia. Most are students, while others are professionals who have careers in various private and government sectors.
Determination of the Beginning of Ramadan
In Indonesia, the pronouncement of the beginning of Ramadan is done by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, after sighting the crescent and holding the Isbat session. While in Australia, the beginning of Ramadan is determined by The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) with the Australian Fatwa Council. These two institutions act as an authority that decides the Islamic holidays and other matters related to Islamic law. This year, the beginning of Ramadan in Indonesia starts on Sunday, April 3, 2022. Meanwhile, in Australia, it starts on Saturday, April 2, 2022.
Difference In Fasting Time
Australia has a sub-tropical climate and has four seasons. This causes the duration of fasting in Australia to be different from in Indonesia. The average duration of fasting in Indonesia is 13 hours. In Australia, it is shorter. This fasting duration in Australia also changes from year to year, depending on the season in which the month of Ramadan occurs. It varies within the month too. At the beginning of Ramadan, the duration of fasting is about 12 hours 30 minutes, approaching Eid, the duration of fasting is about 11 hours 40 minutes. Even though the duration of fasting is shorter than in Indonesia, the challenges are tougher, why? The people who are fasting in Australia may have high mobility to meet many people in public places where the majority of people do not fast. This is a challenge in itself.
The Call To Prayer (Azan) Is Rarely Heard
As well as a marker of prayer time, azan in the month of Ramadan is also a marker of fasting start time (Shubuh) and Iftar time (Maghrib). Unfortunately, not everywhere in Australia, we can hear azan. Mainly, it’s related to regulations, and secondly, it’s the number of mosques that are not too many. Alhamdulillah now many apps can be used as a guide to prayer times and fasting, with the azan according to the local time zone. The azan is already rare to hear, so don’t expect to be awakened by a group of young people with kentongan! Hehe
The Location Of Mosques Are Quite Far Away
Unlike in Indonesia, it is very easy for us to find mosques, even within a distance of less than 3 km. Mosques in Australia are still very few in number. Often we have to go out of town, traveling tens of kilometers to be able to go to the nearest mosque. However, there are certain places that can be used for prayer. Especially in Ramadan, usually, the Muslim community has a Ramadan Program. It provides a venue for Tarawih prayers, Islamic study, and breaking the fast together, as well as the celebration of Eid.
No “Seasonal Ramadan Market” Selling Iftar Food
Hunting Takjil, aka food and drink to break the fast, is one of the exciting moments in Ramadan. Various unique foods and drinks on display are certainly appetizing. But do not expect such an atmosphere exists in a foreign country like Australia. Muslims in Australia usually make their own food and drink for iftar. Those who can cook are lucky because they can make their own typical Iftar food like kolak, for example. But for those who can’t cook, it seems that they have to be patient to withstand the longing for the iftar food. The good news is, that the Indonesian Muslim community in the state of Queensland, The Indonesian Muslim Centre of Queensland (IMCQ) has a monthly bazaar program. For brothers and sisters who want to reminisce about the atmosphere of the Ramadan bazaar, you can visit the bazaar. InshaAllah it could satisfy a little your longing to enjoy typical Indonesian Iftar foods by buying them from the community members.
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