Come Wednesday, 31July 2013, throngs of Malaysians, regardless of race, creed or political standing, will be coming together to fast. The Fast For Malaysia idea is a brainchild of Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir, Rev Sivin Kit and Niki Cheong. Aptly this year, it is being done in the holy month of Ramadan, where our Muslim friends and families are already fasting.
Fast for Malaysia first kicked off in 2009, with the objective of garnering support of the people to fast for peace and betterment of our nation. We as a nation have observed and experienced countless instances of discriminatory acts, prejudice, violence. We’ve seen selective prosecution of offenders and so much more. Malaysia can be better.
More than 900 people in Malaysian and overseas came together to have a pre-fasting meal (sahur), to fast together and break fast at the end of the day, together.
Here’s the official Fast for Malaysia 2013 Mission Statement:
Malaysia is a peaceful country and it should remain that way forever. Acts of Violence and inciting hatred must have no place in our public life.
Unfortunately, too many cruelties and injustices have happened in the past few years and of late there has been a heightening of these incidences.
It is tempting to slip into despair or become revengeful. Let us turn our anger and sadness into a positive force for change.
This July 31, let us all combine our efforts to present a meaningful gift for Malaysia ahead of her 50th year of establishment.
Let us be united in one single action. Let us all fast from dawn to dusk for peace in this blessed land. Let the Muslims amongst us fast with a specific prayer for peace for the nation. Let the Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Taoists, followers of other spiritual traditions and atheists amongst us fast in solidarity and the same determination for peace.
Let our common experience of hunger and human weakness humble, strengthen and unite us.
Let us offer a hospitable smile to people we know and especially to those we don’t.
Let us perform one extra act of kindness while fasting on this special day.
Let us show our love and compassion for each other.
Let Malaysia be a better country on her 50th birthday and every day after.
Let Malaysia be truly happy and peaceful.
And so we fast.
… to make room for justice and peace!
My little part for Malaysia
And so, to do my little bit for Malaysia, I’ve pledged to fast for day – for peace, unity and harmony for Malaysia and all Malaysians.
I’m of course no stranger to fasting, having fasted with Muslim friends for the full Ramadan month when I was in college. This continued for several years when I was working, too. I always found fasting cleansing and I enjoyed the communal sahur in the wee hours of the mornings with friends. And who can forget that joy of the first stick of cigarette (when I was smoking then) and big glass of water when we buka puasa!
But hey, this isn’t about me at all. What would be awesome is if you and your friends and family could join me and many other Malaysians to do this little gesture for our beloved country. Here’s how you can support the movement:
Pledge to Fast
- Pledge on your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc) that you’ll be fasting. Use the #Fast4Malaysia hashtag.
- Leave a comment at the bottom of this post, or via Facebook.
- Sign the petition.
Note: You can include your real name or just use your nicknames from your social networks; age and location.
Spread the Word
Share the link to Fast For Malaysia on Tumblr, or the petition http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/malaysians-fast-for-malaysia-on-july-31-2013 to your friends and family. Don’t forget the #Fast4Malaysia hashtag.
Get your friends and family from all over Malaysia and outside of Malaysia to sign up, too!
Fast with family and friends
Come July 31, have sahur with your friends and family wherever you are. If you’re in the Klang Valley and don’t have anyone to sahur with, you can join the gang at Devi’s Corner in Bangsar from 4.30am onwards (sahur end before 5.35am for Muslims).
Buka puasa together after 7.25pm!
Share the experience
You’re encouraged to post pictures, videos, thought about your experience from pre-fast, fasting and break fast on your social networks using the #Fast4Malaysia hashtag.
You can also post directly to the Fast for Malaysia submission page.
Oh, make sure you follow me on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to get updates 🙂
See you at sahur!
