Seeing All Those Smiles During Ramadan CSR Event

Just like a good soldier, I have to do my role.  Hence, I would like to share this experience of mine during our participation in the Corporate Social Responsibility event initiated by a Granada Hotel here in Johor Bahru.

HODs from Granada Hotel Group and HISB Representative together with Iron Man, Spider Man and Darth Vader. 

May 25, 2018, marks the day when I had the chance to mingle to about 80 children from Pertubuhan Sosial dan Kebajikan Sari Saujana and Rumah Anak Yatim Raudhatul Maryam and had a Ramadan buffet with them as initiated by Granada Hotel in Johor Bahru. 

I am a Christian but this doesn’t mean that I should shut my door in participating in this event. Our company supported this program by providing a free transportation service to fetch the children aged five to sixteen years for this event from their respective charity homes.

I am happy as I witnessed those smiles from these children while enjoying every second of the Ramadan Buffet prepared by the staff of the said hotel.

This is actually my third time to encounter Ramadan Buffet at this hotel, and this time around is what I considered as one of the most memorable moments.

Aside from the Ramadan Buffet, the kids enjoyed the appearances of the famous Marvel’s characters Spider Man and Iron Man including Darth Vader from the Star Wars. The characters were provided by Apizzero Cosplay. The children had the chance to meet and greet the characters and took a selfie with them.

The appearances of Marvel’s characters in this event was a great twist for CSR event after the breaking-of-fast (Buka Puasa). The staff of the hotel and the children had a lot of engagement which makes the whole event meaningful.

Ramadan Buffet

Buka Puasa with HISB Bus Captains

Malaysia is one of the Muslim Countries in South East Asia. To some other countries, particularly to those dominated by Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, etc..  Ramadan Buffet is not common at all.

Ramadan Buffet in Malaysia is only available during the month of Ramadan as Muslims will take their “Buka Puasa” or breaking–of- fast- at a specific time of the evening throughout the entire fasting month.

Buka Puasa is actually the second meal of the day for our Muslim colleagues, friends, and neighbor. They don’t drink and eat after their first meal in the morning after 5:30 am.

Some of the Islamic countries and locations aside from Malaysia in South East Asia include Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam, Southern part of Philippines, Southern part of Thailand, and Westernmost parts of Myanmar.


As an Expat

I believe that as an expat or foreigner in this country, we need to be flexible to the culture and tradition in everywhere we go. It is our responsibility to show respect to them as part of our role in this community.

And since fasting month is ongoing, we have to be minded with our actions especially when we are in public places.