How Chinese Muslims mark both CNY and Ramadan

WHEN Chinese New Year (CNY) unfolded alongside the opening days of Ramadan this year, Chinese Muslim families across Malaysia adjusted their celebrations without setting aside either their faith or their heritage.

For Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (Macma) president Prof Dr Taufik Yap Yun Hin, there was never a contradiction.

“We celebrate both. One is culture, the other one is religious. Since we are Chinese as well as Muslim, we celebrate both,” he told theSun.

With fasting observed during the day, most adjustments came down to timing. Daytime open houses were limited, while evenings became the focus for reunion and festivity.

“You always think, how do you celebrate CNY during Ramadan? You cannot eat only in the daytime. You can eat at night,” he said.

In Sabah, Macma hosted a joint iftar, the communal breaking of fast at sunset during Ramadan, alongside its CNY celebration.

“We have lion dance, but not including the mascot because that is more religious. The lion dance itself is a cultural thing,” he said.

Reunion dinners, halal food

Reunion dinner, a cornerstone of CNY, remained central. Families broke fast together before continuing with halal versions of traditional dishes.

“The most important thing is that the family gets together and eats together. In Chinese culture, you cannot start eating before the elderly begin. That is respect. In Islam, when you eat together, you get barakah,” Taufik said.

Yee sang, the colourful raw fish salad traditionally tossed with auspicious greetings, also featured at some gatherings.

“We are still doing yee sang. It is nothing wrong because the ingredients are just salad or fish. The tossing and the wishes are good wishes for health and prosperity,” he said.

He added that festive greetings such as “xin nian kuai le” and “wan si ru yi” were not religious declarations but well-wishes similar to Malay expressions.

“In a way, it is a good doa (prayer),” he said.

Ang pow continued to be distributed to children, much like duit raya during Aidilfitri. Lanterns decorated homes and halal roast duck and bak kwa were available from Muslim-certified suppliers. What was consciously avoided were elements tied to belief systems incompatible with Islam.

“We do not believe in the zodiac. We enjoy the cultural aspect, not the belief aspect,” he said.

Personal sacrifice

For Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor engineering educator Prof Dr Fatin Aliah Phang, the overlap required personal sacrifices.

“CNY from this year until 2031 will overlap with Ramadan. This year is more challenging because my children have started fasting, so we decided not to return to Sarawak for the first time to focus on teaching them sahur, fasting and terawih,” she said.

In previous years, her family would travel back to Sarawak ahead of the new year to celebrate with her father and siblings.

“We normally arrive one day earlier for reunion dinner. After eating, we exchange greetings, distribute ang pow from the elders to the younger ones, eat snacks, watch Chinese shows on television, play fireworks and talk until late at night,” she said.

This year felt different.

“I am quite sad because my siblings have returned to my father’s house in Sarawak to celebrate, but I cannot go back this time,” she said.

Still, she stressed cultural practices that do not conflict with Islam remain meaningful.

“Traditions that do not conflict with Islam are maintained. There is no problem gathering for reunion dinner with halal food, chatting without gambling or drinking, giving ang pow as gifts and visiting relatives to strengthen ties,” she said.

Her non-Muslim relatives, she added, have long understood her family’s dietary requirements.

“My family understands our halal requirements. Sometimes they prepare halal food for us or ensure that utensils are not mixed. The atmosphere is harmonious and friendly,” she said.

Moment for understanding

For Taufik and Fatin, this year’s convergence of two major observances became an opportunity for understanding rather than tension.

“This is a chance and an opportunity for us to make people understand us. You are born special as you are Muslim and at the same time, you are Chinese,” Taufik said.

As Ramadan progressed and the red lanterns came down, what remained was a simple reality. For Chinese Muslims, identity did not require compromise. It required clarity about what belongs to culture, what belongs to faith and how both can sit comfortably at the same table.

READ MORE:

Inside Malaysia’s Chinatowns as Chinese New Year returns

Saddle up: horse riding places to visit this Chinese New Year

Mandopop redefined by Malaysia’s diverse singers

Where halal meets high gastronomy

 The Sun Malaysia