Azlan Othman

With Ramadhan bazaars and mass gatherings not allowed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, families in Brunei Darussalam prepared themselves for a new experience this year.

A survey by the Sunday Bulletin yesterday saw Pasar Pelbagai Barangan Gadong and Sumbangsih Mulia empty with a long rope and tagline wrapped around the popular spots reminding the public about the closure. In addition, the popular Ramadhan bazaar at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium parking lot is also not held.

The Brunei-Muara District Office in a directive on Thursday informed vendors at markets and stalls under their jurisdiction of the closure to curb COVID-19 in the country and to ascertain the well-being and safety of the public following advice from the Ministry of Health.

However the sale of raw fish, meat, vegetables and fruits is allowed for the time being until a further announcement.

With COVID-19, Muslims have to make different preparations for the fasting month this year. Fasting starts from dawn and lasts until sunset. Most wake up before dawn to have a meal – a practice called sahur – to prepare themselves for the day’s fasting.

Members of the public said the traffic and crowd would be unimaginable and might cause a new cluster of COVID-19 if bazaars were held where social and physical distancing are hard to observe. Crowd control could become a problem, they said.

A survey by the Sunday Bulletin on the eve of the closure at the Pasar Pelbagai Barangan Gadong on Friday saw food vendors distributing pamphlets to buyers wishing to contact them to buy delicacies from home. Contact numbers were also pasted on their stalls while others used the social media platform to advertise their delicacies.

Muslims are able to adapt to the situation and carry out their religious responsibilities in this period despite the cancellation of the usual Ramadhan bazaar.

During this time, it is also a time for Muslims to save and to prepare their own meal. Lina, a mother of four said, “After all, in Islam we are taught to be self-sufficient and not spend beyond our means.”

Being unable to go to the mosque during Ramadhan has saddened her, but she believed that it was best to comply with the rules for the safety and health of everyone.

“I think for this time, I could save money because every Ramadhan, I always buy food, and this is an opportunity for me to spend more time with my family too,” she said.