Question
What is the Bazaar Ramadan in Malaysia?
Answer
The Bazaar Ramadan in Malaysia is a vibrant and culturally significant event that takes place during the holy month of Ramadan. It is a unique food culture event that attracts both locals and international tourists, offering a wide array of food and beverages, and showcasing Malaysian culture and traditions.
Key Features of Bazaar Ramadan
Gastronomic Tourism: The Ramadan Bazaar is a part of gastronomic tourism, which enhances visitor experiences through food events. It is recognised for its potential to boost the local economy by attracting international tourists who are interested in unique cultural experiences (Zahari et al., 2014; Karim and Ibtisam, 2012).
Cultural Significance: The bazaar is not only a place for food but also a cultural event that reflects the traditions and lifestyle of Malaysians during Ramadan. It is a time when Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, and the bazaar provides a space for breaking the fast with a variety of traditional and modern dishes (Mohamed, Nazri and Loy, 2013).
Economic Impact: The event is seen as a catalyst for economic activity, drawing tourists who contribute to the local economy. The positive experiences and satisfaction of international tourists at the bazaar encourage them to share their experiences, further promoting the event globally (Zahari et al., 2014; Karim and Ibtisam, 2012).
Entrepreneurial Opportunities: The bazaar also serves as a platform for entrepreneurship, particularly for students and small business owners, who use the event to market their products and develop their business skills (K et al., 2023).
Conclusion
The Bazaar Ramadan in Malaysia is a multifaceted event that combines food, culture, and economic activity. It plays a significant role in promoting Malaysia as a tourist destination, while also providing opportunities for local entrepreneurship and cultural exchange.
References
Zahari, M., Karim, N., Kutut, M., & Suhaimi, M., 2014. The Relationship between the Ramadan Bazaar and the Attraction and Dissemination of Information: A Case of International Tourists. World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioural, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 8, pp. 872-877.
Karim, A., & Ibtisam, N., 2012. Ramadan Bazaar, international tourists’ attraction and disseminating information behaviour / Noor Ibtisam Abdul Karim. **. https://doi.org/10.1201/b12752-77
Mohamed, H., Nazri, N., & Loy, S., 2013. Ramadan bazaar and Ramadan buffets: The possible influence on eating behaviour and health among Malaysian Muslims. Journal of Fasting And Health, 1, pp. 43-45. https://doi.org/10.22038/JFH.2013.2008
K, F., Asih, F., Fauziah, L., Sidik, A., Putri, S., Saputra, R., Nafi’a, Z., Saputra, R., Badriana, S., Amroni, A., Fahrudin, R., Purnamasari, D., & Asfi, M., 2023. MENUMBUHKAN GERAKAN WIRAUSAHA MAHASISWA MELALUI KEGIATAN BAZAR RAMADHAN 1444 H. SELAPARANG: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Berkemajuan. https://doi.org/10.31764/jpmb.v7i2.15011
Ali, A. Y. (1991) The Meaning of the Holy Qur’an, American Trust Publications: Brentwood
FMT News (2016) “‘Fake’ Muslim beggar at Ramadan Bazaar” in Free Malaysia Today, 22nd June, 2016
Oleh Bernama (2016) “DBKL monitors Ramadan Bazaars to ensure food safety” in Malaysia Gazette, 6th June, 2016
Tourism Malaysia (2013) “Ramadan Bazaar is back to attract local and foreign tourists” Tourism Malaysia Media Release, 9th July, 2013 [online] available at http://www.tourism.gov.my/media/view/ramadan-bazaar-is-back-to-attract-local-and-foreign-tourists, retrieved on 4th July, 2016
Zahari, M. S. M., Ibtisam, N., Kutut, M. Z. and Suhaimi, M. Z. (2014) “The relationship between the Ramadan Bazaar and the attraction and dissemination of information: a case of international tourists” in International Journal of Social, Behavioural, Educational, Economic and Management Engineering, 8 (3), pp. 868-873
Zainal, A., Radzi, S. M., Hashim, R., Chik, C. T. and Abu, R. (2013) Current Issues in Hospitality and Tourism: Research and Innovations, CRC Press: Boca Raton
