Ramadan as a month of fasting is from July 10 to August 7 this year. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and Muslims have to observe fasting from dawn until sunset during the time. In Kuala Lumpur, Muslims have breakfast before dawn about 5:45 a.m. and can’t eat and drink anything until sunset about 7:30 p.m. Malay stalls and restaurants in whole towns are closed in daily time and opened after dark.

It’s amazing that they can’t drink even water. For example, in case of accidental drinking water while swimming, the fasting of that day is invalid. So, swimming during Ramadan is discouraged.

I asked some friends whether they lose a lot of weights through Ramadan period, but they say no. It’s because they have heavy dinner and breakfast for many hours. It’s more likely that they are rather gaining weights so that they eat a lot in the celebration called “Hari Raya Puasa” after Ramadan.

By the way, dates are displayed in the shop-front in this Ramadan season. It’s because Muslims have a custom to eat a few dates when they break from fasting after sunset.

Dates are very sweet fruits and an excellent source of minerals such as potassium, fiber, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. They are also rich in dietary fiber including pectin which is a relief for constipation!!
So, dates are ideal fruits for those who are anemic, constipation, pregnant etc. It’s also good for people on a diet. In Middle East, pregnant woman is recommended to eat dates every day to have a healthy baby.

Well, I am nine months pregnant now and I haven’t known this ideal fruit until now. I will start to eat dates for coming puerperal and nursing period.

Please let me add explanations about Ramadan to eliminate your concern. Pregnant and nursing women can leave fasting. Also, those who are ill, travelling, elderly are not obliged to fast, but they still must make up the days missed later.

I will give birth to my second child next month in Kuala Lumpur and this is a big challenge for me. I look forward to reporting local information about childbirth and childcare comparing to Japanese ways. Just wait till you see my next report!

Reported by Makiko Wada, Sugawara Institute