It's the second week of fasting in the month of Ramadan. My Muslim friends neither eat nor drink from dawn until sunset. As a non-Muslim, I avoid eating in front of them. There's no law against it but it's a considerate gesture. That said, Muslims and non-Muslims alike throng the Ramadan bazaars for delicious fare available during the season. Everyone's in a festive mood as they make plans for the long weekend holiday of Syawal to mark the end of Ramadan in two weeks time. Many who have left for work in the cities will be returning to their hometowns to join the joyous celebration.

'Ching Ming' or Tomb-Sweeping day for the Chinese fell on Wednesday this week, about two weeks after the spring equinox. They pay their respects to their ancestors and departed loved ones by visiting the tombs. The gravesites are cleaned and offerings of prayers, flowers, food, burnt joss sticks and paper goods are made to the spirits. It is a customary practice of filial piety that draws people back, travelling long distances, typically in the week preceding and subsequent to Ching Ming.

My friends who are Christians have been observing the period of Lent leading to Good Friday and Easter Sunday this week. Some of my friends give up on something they like during the month of Lent in following the spirit of sacrifice.

Right, I can't pretend to know the full significance of all the celebrations above, but it'd be fun to compare how communities around you observe them. Happy holidays.   

Postscript added on 10 Oct 2023: Note: Thank you to those who have written to let me know you enjoy reading my column but daren't take a lesson because there are parts you don't really understand. I assure you we'll always speak at a level which suits you so that we can enjoy a casual conversation. Also, we can go through words and sentences that are difficult so that we learn together. Perhaps, they will be easy then and we'll always have something to talk about. No stress!