Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is the month when Muslims around the world observe fasting by not eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset.
This holy month is also a moment for Muslims to reap as many rewards as possible, including by refraining from other worldly desires and increasing prayer and charity.
Although Ramadan fasting is not only related to food, it cannot be denied that breaking the fast brings its own unique traditions for Muslims around world - especially in Indonesia, whether it is by breaking the fast together with a different group of friends each time or by enjoying a more special iftar menu than dishes enjoyed on otherwise regular days.
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Iftar food vendors serve their customers at a Ramadan market that sells snacks and food for Muslims to break their fast, locally known as 'takjil' in Jakarta, Indonesia. Source: EPA / MAST IRHAM/EPA/AAP Photos
Abaddi Talib, currently lives in Melbourne, admitted that he feels that fasting in Indonesia is still the best because of the large variety of authentic foods that can be easily obtained for breaking the fast.
"In Indonesia, we know that there are many typical foods, especially during the fasting month of Ramadan. There is bakwan, wow, that's one of the typical fried foods, cireng, and so on.
"Sometimes there is also typical Indonesian food here, but it's not very unique. There's still soto, chicken noodles like that, meatballs.
"But authentically, Indonesia is the best."
Apart from the food, the atmosphere of Ramadan in Australia is also different when compared to Indonesia - the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.
"The atmosphere is less festive compared to in Indonesia," said Yeniati, an Indonesian Muslim residing in Melbourne.
"In Indonesia, we can always be together with friends or family to break the fast together. Here, we are mostly alone."
Yeniati added that Indonesian Muslims can visit Indonesian community centres if they want to experience a more festive iftar together.
"When I lived here, it happened to be right when it was winter, so the hours were much shorter than in Indonesia. So at 5 o'clock it was already breaking the fast," Yeniati said.
"That is the best thing."
