Malaysia: Ramadan observations to start May 26-27

Event

On May 26-27, Muslims will begin their month-long celebration of Ramadan. The end of the month of Ramadan, marked by the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, will take place on June 25. Though practices can vary by country, many businesses, restaurants, and government administrations are expected to operate on a reduced schedule during this holy month. Diplomatic missions may also operate on a similar schedule.

Transportation disruptions are to be anticipated during this period due to an increased number of travelers, especially in airports. Heavy traffic after sundown (particularly over weekends) is to be anticipated as Muslims typically gather to celebrate the holy month with family. Furthermore, traffic accidents tend to increase during Ramadan (especially at dusk) due to a combination of exhaustion, hunger, dehydration, and impatience.

Additionally, expect tight security measures in major urban areas due to a heightened terror threat. In 2016, Islamic State (IS) called on its members to perpetrate attacks coinciding with Ramadan. Some regional terrorist groups followed suit. On June 28, 2016, an IS-linked grenade attack at a bar in the town of Puchong injured eight people. Between 2013 and 2016, police arrested more than 250 IS suspects, most of them Malaysian citizens.

Finally, local authorities typically observe an increase in incidents of petty crime during this period.

Context

Ramadan is a period of reflection and self-restraint and carries great significance within the Muslim calendar. Muslims traditionally observe daytime fasting and are called to practice increased devotion. Nearly 60 percent of the Malaysian population is Muslim, 86 percent of which support sharia law, a legal code based on the Quran and other Islamic scripture, as the official law of the land in their country.

More generally, this period also marks a significant increase in the regional terror threat in many majority-Muslim countries.

Advice

Individuals in Malaysia are advised not to eat, drink or smoke in public by day in majority-Muslim areas during this period. Travelers are also advised to allow additional time for travel and to avoid any form of public demonstration or public gathering.

Individuals should remain vigilant and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Due to a high risk of terrorist attack, always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly likely to be targeted (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).