This colorful illustration is an artist’s impression of a Ramadan bazaar in Kuala Lumpur. (The image is in public domain and can be shared freely with this article.)

By Zurairi A.R.
News Editor of the Malay Mail in Kuala Lumpur

As the world’s two billion Muslims observe the holy month of Ramadan — fasting during daylight hours and spending nights in tarawih prayer and Quran recitals — many non-Muslims may not realise that this is also a time of joyous family and community gatherings. Each evening, the fast is broken with shared meals, creating a vibrant atmosphere of togetherness.

For religion writers seeking fresh story ideas in 2025, exploring the unique dishes featured in iftar (the meal to break the fast) and the traditions surrounding it in different parts of the world could be a compelling angle. In Malaysia, for example, iftar is commonly referred to as buka puasa.

While Ramadan is primarily about worship and spiritual reflection, our newsroom has found that stories about food and breaking the fast resonate deeply with readers — especially in Malaysia, where food plays a central role in daily life.

The culture of Ramadan bazaars

In Kuala Lumpur and across neighbouring countries like Singapore and Indonesia, Ramadan bazaars are a hallmark of the season. Similar to night markets in many parts of the world, these bazaars serve as bustling hubs where families and friends gather to purchase meals for iftar.

The bazaars open in the afternoon, well before the time to break the fast. In Malaysia, local councils typically regulate when vendors can start selling food to fasting Muslims, usually around 3pm. Some people visit early to buy food for later, while others arrive closer to sunset to enjoy their meals in public spaces like parks. In Singapore, for instance, long tables and benches are provided at some bazaars for those breaking their fast on-site.

The changing landscape of Ramadan bazaars

In recent years, however, the quality of food at these bazaars has declined as commercialization takes precedence. Once known for home-style cooking, many stalls now focus on mass production, leading to a loss of authenticity. Ramadan bazaars have also become a reflection of evolving food trends. While traditional dishes such as murtabak, roti khurasan, and air kathira remain popular, trendy items like sushi bake, churros, and cheese wheel pasta have made fleeting appearances.

We have explored these issues in stories such as:

• As Ramadan bazaars lose lustre for being pricey and substandard, some Malaysians turn to alternatives for ‘buka puasa’

• Jaded with Ramadan bazaars, Muslims turn to free ‘buka puasa’ at mosques as economy bites

For those who prefer to prepare iftar meals at home, social media has become a go-to source for inspiration. Influencers and food content creators have gained popularity for sharing Ramadan recipes tailored to Muslim audiences.

• Looking for Ramadan meal ideas? From Khairul Aming to Dapoq Pdot, Malaysia’s top food influencers serve up must-try recipes

Bureaucracy and regulation

As Ramadan bazaars grow in popularity, concerns over food safety and waste have also risen. The excessive leftovers at these markets highlight the broader issue of food waste during the month. Some of our previous coverage on this topic includes:

• What happens to leftovers from Ramadan bazaars? It all starts as soon as Maghrib ‘azan’ goes out

• Waste not: The negative impact of Ramadan waste according to environmental NGOs

Beyond food quality and waste, the regulation of Ramadan bazaars is another evolving topic. Issues such as restrictions on foreign vendors and efforts to position these bazaars as tourism attractions have sparked debate.

• Perak next to ban foreigners from setting up stalls, working at Ramadan bazaars

• Penang to promote its Ramadan bazaars as tourism attractions, Kon Yeow says

Covering Ramadan and Eid as a unified story

In our newsroom, we typically cover both Ramadan and Eid — known as Aidilfitri or Hari Raya in Malaysia — as part of a cohesive package. Reporters with a Muslim background are often assigned to these stories to ensure authenticity and continuity in themes and trends.

Other noteworthy themes to explore during Ramadan include:

• The impact of climate change on daily fasting routines, particularly for outdoor workers and migrant labourers.

• How Ramadan rituals and traditions have evolved over time in different regions.

We hope these ideas inspire fresh and engaging stories this Ramadan.

Ramadan Kareem, and happy fasting to all Muslims!

ZURAIRI A.R. is a News Editor of the Malay Mail, Malaysia’s oldest news brand established in 1896. Based in Kuala Lumpur, it is now a digital-only publication that prides itself on having a conversation on what really matters with its readers.