As a Chinese, the month of September is often associated with flames of candles, foggy joss sticks and the smell of incense. But besides the eerie sight of joss sticks, Muslims are having their fasting period as well. So I met up with my Malay friends for a trip to Geylang. No, not the sleazy one that Geylang is reputed for, but the Bazaar Geylang Serai, which loosely translated as Geylang market. Well, considered that as part of my own national education learning efforts.

Often, bazaars like this one in Geylang, or known to Malays as Ramadan bazaars are held during the fasting period, whereby the Muslims will not eat and indulge in pleasures like smoking from dusk to dawn. Just like how the Chinese shop for decorations for their house in Chinese New Year, the Muslims are likewise doing it for Hari Raya, the day of celebration.

The bazaar, in my opinion, looks like a larger Pasar Malam, which means night market. Well, I could say that the Bazaar is about the size of football field, or maybe larger than that. There are a variety of stalls in the bazaar, ranging from furniture, clothing to cars and of course, food for the Muslims to break fast. The bazaar is like a Malay Chinatown during Chinese New Year; it takes forever to walk from one end to another. One could hear the prayer sound echoing throughout the whole bazaar when it was time to break fast, and you can see that the very next moment, tons of people were busy eating to end their hunger. It seems to me like a mass feast. And true enough, my Malay friends started tugging into their food the moment they heard the prayer sound. I guessed that they must be pretty hungry.

If there is time available, do check out the Bazaar in Geylang Serai. Even though the things sold there are more targeted for the Malays, who knows? Maybe you might be able to find some goodies down there.