April 24 marked the first day of Ramadan, the fasting month for the Muslim community.

A lot of Muslim Singaporeans typically spend the month doing the tarawih (additional ritual prayers in the month of Ramadan) at the mosque, occasionally breaking fast outside with friends and visiting the yearly Ramadan bazaars.

This Ramadan, however, will be different.

With the circuit breaker extended until June 1, most Muslim families will be spending the whole of Ramadan and the first few days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri at home.

Mothership spoke to four Singaporean Muslim personalities on how they will be spending Ramadan differently this year.

Nurul Aini, actress & presenter

What do you look forward to every Ramadan?

I look forward to going to the Ramadan bazaars. Buying food for buka (Malay for break fast) at the bazaars under the block and Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar, of course!

What are some Ramadan traditions that you will probably miss this year?

The tarawih prayers, especially.

It will be so different this year because you won't see flocks of people walking towards the mosque after buka. 😔

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Uo_5Vj9Kk/

Also, the trips to the bazaar in Geylang, I will miss that.

The whole atmosphere of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is usually felt when I go there during the fasting month.

But I guess it will be a quiet one this year.

How different do you think this Ramadan will be for you?

It will be very, very different.

No breaking of fast with family members, no exchanging of food with neighbours too.

Do you have a go-to meal for pre-dawn/ break fast?

My family’s very simple during Ramadhan so we are not too worried about that (lack of ingredients during the circuit breaker period).

I think I cook less during the fasting month. 😂😂

Hirzi Zulkiflie, content creator & social media influencer

What do you look forward to every Ramadan?

The main bazaar (at Geylang Serai), as well as the night market atmosphere around different districts.

What are some Ramadan traditions that you will probably miss this year?

Iftar (Arabic for break fast) with friends.

I feel like when you’ve fasted a full day, it’s really an interesting atmosphere to break the bread with friends.

That said, I think my parents would like it too.

I also, without fail, do festive content every year since I started in 2008, but this would be my first year without.

Have you watched? VOGUE EID. https://t.co/hdaUoCp62g People are saying it’s blasphemous or something, bitch where? pic.twitter.com/05RCjx7oYw

— HirziOfficial (@HIRZIofficial) May 26, 2019

How different do you think this Ramadan will be for you?

It will be quite solemn, I think iftar is always an excuse for the family to come together.

I’m pretty sure my mum and dad would miss their grandchildren a lot.

I think Hari Raya Aidilfitri would be more devastating for Malay people because jumping from one house to the next house throughout the whole month, is such a huge part of how Singaporeans celebrate the festive occasion.

But I guess we’ll observe it differently this year.

I can already imagine my mum and dad being super sad that their grandchildren might not get to see them.

It’s also quite solemn that you don’t get to hear the takbir (call to prayer) at mosques on the morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

On hindsight, I get to save up on... Giving green packets.

But I said this on my Instagram story once:

“Ramadan has trained us all our lives for this very moment (circuit breaker).”

I guess this year will just feel like a slightly extended Ramadan with the circuit breaker measures, but I’m always cooped up at home during Ramadan anyway cause I’m weak like that. Hahaha.

Do you have a go-to meal for pre-dawn/ break fast meal?

I’m genuinely not picky with food.

Ramadan meals are pretty much our regular homecooked food, anyway.

But if there’s no festive kueh or ketupat and lontong this Raya, that would be really solemn.

That said, I bought my Baju Melayu already, ah.

Munah Bagharib, actress & social media influencer

What do you look forward to every Ramadan?

I look forward to sitting down and having dinner with my parents.

All of us, my siblings and parents, will make it a point to break fast together as much as we can.

My family members are close but we hardly see each other, even when we're all living under the same roof.

We're all busy with our own responsibilities and work, and as much as each of us understand that, it's always something that we miss: Being together.

What are some Ramadan traditions that you will probably miss this year?

The one thing I really enjoyed doing every Ramadan, was going out to get food for break fast.

Especially with my Mamreh (that's what I call my mum, haha).

It's nice to be able to get her out and let her choose the food she wants to eat and share with my dad, just something small to make her happy. :)

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5zPJH4h3UU/

How different do you think this Ramadan will be for you?

Well you know what's odd, the last three Ramadans, I haven't been around much.

I would be working a lot, or out of the country for work.

So the one thing that's different is that I will actually be home with my folks. :)

The other thing that's different is that I guess it's a little more sombre.

There won't be that weekend iftar, with more relatives coming over to the house or with friends.

But in tough times, I think we should also remember to be grateful for what we have and help others where we can.

I am so grateful that I get to be with my parents, most of all.

These are two people who are the most important to me, yet, I feel like I haven't seen much of lately.

So I count my blessings and I'm here for them, for whatever they need.

Do you have a go-to meal for pre-dawn/ break fast?

Oh my god, my cravings change every single day!

But you know what I always break fast with when I'm at home? Coffee, bubur (porridge) & dates.

Easy!

Ahmad Syarifullah, singer & owner of Chulop! by The Syarifs

What do you look forward to every Ramadan?

Because I run an F&B business, I look forward to the yearly Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar especially since last year’s bazaar was well executed and curated.

The vibe, the unity and the energy there is just something.

What are some Ramadan traditions that you will probably miss this year?

The annual bazaar, definitely and breaking fast with family members and friends.

How different do you think this Ramadan will be for you?

Very different.

Good thing is, I think I will have more time to spend with my family.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6vmpMKAX17/

This will be the first time in five years (that I have more time), so maybe there's a blessing in disguise.

Do you have a go-to meal for pre-dawn/ break fast?

Overnight oats for pre-dawn meal can last me through the day.

The recipe is very simple, you don't even need to know how to cook to prepare it.

In a jar, add:

• Half cup of oats
• One cup of milk
• One tablespoon of peanut butter
• One tablespoon of yoghurt
• One teaspoon of chia seeds
• Two dates, chopped up

For toppings, add:

• Banana slices
• Strawberries, cubed
• Toasted pecans
• Drizzle of honey

Keep it in your fridge overnight and have it for your pre-dawn meal, it is simple but solid.

Top image from @syarif.ig, @aanurul & @munahbagharib on Instagram.