Tag: ramadan

Non-Muslim Students Told To Drink Own Urine In Toilet

ALOR SETAR: A group championing the interests of non-Muslim students (Waris Murid-Murid Bukan Islam) have lodged a complaint with the Kedah Education Director that a senior member of the teaching staff at the Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Ibrahim directed them to drink water only in the toilet.

This same person was also alleged to have said that in the event they had not brought any water with them to school, they could drink water from the tap there, or “drink their own urine”.

These instructions were allegedly given by the assistant principal, who is also responsible for student affairs, during the school assembly on June 21.

The teacher allegedly said: “Non-Muslim students are reminded not to drink water in class but only in the toilet. If not enough water, drink the piped water or your own urine.”

The errant teacher did not mention the fasting month during the brief speech.

The letter of complaint went on to berate the errant teacher for setting a bad example and having no respect for non-Muslims, both students and teachers, and for harbouring racist attitudes.

Source: www.freemalaysiatoday.com

June 23, 2015
Ramadan Rush Sees Mega-Rich Arab Shoppers Flock To London

LONDON, June 22 — Inside an upmarket London department store a genteel Middle Eastern woman glides by, trailing flowing robes and the distinctive smell of oud, a perfume popular with Arab women.

Outside, petrol fumes fill the air and motors roar, as young Arab men rev the engines of some of the world’s most expensive cars at a stop light.

Welcome to London’s Ramadan rush, when thousands of wealthy Arabs descend on the British capital in the weeks before and after the Muslim fasting month, packing hotels and fuelling a shopping frenzy.

“It’s a prestige thing. This is a place to show off your wealth, supercar or your clothes. You want to go where you’ll be seen, and London is where all the Arabs are,” said Fahad al-Ajmi, a 32-year-old Kuwaiti.

“I know Kuwaitis who take out loans just to come to London and show off. How crazy is that?”

Qatari shoppers spend an average £1,432 (RM8,365) per transaction — the top amount among Middle Eastern visitors — closely followed by tourists from the United Arab Emirates at £1,120.

‘Part of the retail calendar’

Premium department stores and top brands have been quick to accommodate Britain’s most well-heeled shoppers.

At Selfridges the number of women wearing hijabs almost outnumbers other customers.

The premier London department store is one of several to adjust opening hours or specially train staff to serve Arab customers.

Global Blue, which provides British shops and hotels with cultural training, has a list of Dos and Don’ts. Among those: Do address the oldest man when speaking to a group. Don’t give them a thumbs up — the gesture is interpreted in some Arab countries as obscene.

The company says Middle Eastern consumers are the top-spending foreign shopper group in Britain, representing 32 per cent of total international outlays to date this year, with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE occupying four of the top five national spending slots.

Ramadan, which follows the lunar calendar and ends with the Eid al-Fitr celebration, this year starts on Thursday, with many Gulf Arabs holidaying before or after to stock up on gifts and outfits and escape searing temperatures back home.

“Much like the January sales and Christmas rush, Middle Eastern visitors celebrating Eid are now part of the retail calendar for many luxury brands,” said Dave Hobday, managing director of Worldpay UK, a payment processing company.

London, with its extensive transport links, global language, relative proximity, mild climate and historical ties to Gulf states, has become the destination of choice for many Ramadan tourists.

Several Gulf countries were former British protectorates, and their citizens have for decades come to London to shop, study, receive medical treatment and invest, most prominently in the city’s booming property market.

“We like the English. As someone from the Gulf, we’re used to them. We even like their food,” laughed Khaled Abdullah Ghanem, 42, a Kuwaiti on holiday, adding that Britain is generally more welcoming towards Arabs than France or the United States.

Supercars and ‘carparazzi’

The economic boom Arabs create isn’t restricted to high-end shopping and hotels, with firms that hire supercars or transport them to London from the Gulf reporting brisk business.

Young Arabs driving around London’s most exclusive shopping streets in Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and other ultra-expensive vehicles, often bearing Middle Eastern number plates, have become an annual fixture.

The cavalcades of costly automobiles are a nuisance to some, but are welcomed by car enthusiasts — or “Carparazzi” — who stalk the streets around posh department stores like Harrods and Harvey Nichols for rare vehicles, and share videos and photos of them online.

“Ramadan is a busy time for us… Quite often the whole family will travel, sometimes with security too. We have used Rolls Royce and Bentleys for some individuals and often use Mercedes Vianos for the security team,” said a spokesperson for Signature Car Hire, which offers prestige vehicles to clients including the UAE and Qatari royal families.

The Lamborghini Aventador, one of the world’s most expensive supercars, rents for £1,995 pounds a day. However, many Gulf visitors prefer to bring their own vehicles, paying as much as £12,000 for return shipping according to media reports. ― AFP-Relaxnews

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

June 23, 2015
Why A Devout Catholic Is Fasting During Ramadan

As the executive director of Interfaith Worker Justice, a national organization that builds power with workers through faith-rooted organizing and advocacy, my faith and values are what ground me and call me to do this work. I’m Catholic and feel deeply connected to my faith, which has been a constant presence in my life, and is the core to who I am.

I know that the joy, hope and love I feel within my faith is no different from the joy, hope and love others experience within their own faith tradition. I feel this way because we share a set of common core values, such as respect, dignity, dedication, sacrifice and love.

It is because of these shared values that I’ve decided to join my Muslim friends as they fast from sunup to sundown during this holy month of Ramadan. I also join them in embracing the blessings one receives during such an important time of fasting, charity, prayer and introspection.

Fasting during Ramadan is not just about fasting from food but also from the things that can take us away from being our best selves, such as gossip, insults, lies, negativity & disrespect for others. Ramadan helps us look inward by challenging and encouraging us to be better people, by being more conscious and aware of our place in the world and how we relate to those around us.

In my Catholic tradition I have fasted many times and have seen the benefits of choosing to go without in order to focus on what’s inside. Fasting helps make space for other things to come into greater focus, such as a deeper connection with those less fortunate, a greater emphasis on my relationship with God and being more disciplined about the choices I make.

Similarly, fasting during Ramadan is as much about filling ourselves with prayer, empathy and love as it is about fasting from the things that separate us from our true nature. It is through Ramadan’s intentional sacrifice of food that we are fed an abundant spiritual buffet.

Ramadan also gives us an opportunity to be more charitable to others. But it’s more than just about giving alms to the poor — it’s about broadening our awareness and understanding of the systems that make and keep them poor. More importantly, it is about deepening our connection with those less fortunate.

We practice real empathy and compassion by reaching out and seeking to understand why people struggle, and acting on it. “Why are they hungry?” “Why are they homeless?” By asking these questions we also challenge ourselves to think of what we can do: “How can I do the most good for the most people?” “How do I impact the real problem and make ongoing change happen?”

Fasting and Prayer

As someone once told me; “Fasting without prayer is just going hungry.” How true! Many Muslims pray fives times a day, and especially during Ramadan. Prayer feeds the soul and helps sustain the meaning behind the fast.

Several years ago, I was walking through the Minneapolis airport and saw a young airport worker go into a corner and pull out a small rug to pray. He wasn’t trying to draw attention to himself, but he caught my eye anyway. I was moved by his act of devotion, discipline and love. I then asked myself, “Why don’t I do that?” “Is my faith enough of a priority that I go out of my way to pray to make room for it?” Inspired by the young Muslim man’s public display of faith and prayer, I began to pray the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy at 3 p.m everyday, regardless of where I was. Now I also include my morning prayers, Rosary and evening prayers each day. The young man’s powerful example has inspired and challenged me to deepen my own faith and be a better Catholic.

It is through sharing experiences and practices that we discover we have more in common than we have differences. One of the many values that we have in common is a shared sense of respect for workers and the value of the work they produce. Across faith traditions, the teachings are clear: respect workers and treat them fairly, as we would want to be treated, or even better. Kind of sounds like a golden rule doesn’t it? For good reason, as we all do better when we all do better.

So as I begin Ramadan in honor of the values that it represents, I am filled with humility and gratitude for this blessed opportunity to deepen my relationship with God and those around me. It will give me chance to turn down the noise and focus on what’s most important in my life and once again, help me to be a better Catholic.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

June 23, 2015
Answers To Common Questions About Ramadan And Hari Raya

“Really? Cannot eat at all?”

It’s a common question asked of myself and my fellow fasting family and friends by non-Muslims during this period.

Muslims the world over fast for the whole month of Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar.

In Singapore, Ramadan started on the evening of Wednesday, June 17, with Muslims going through their first full day of fasting on Thursday.

The next question is usually: “But can drink water, right?”

While it is often the same questions asked on an annual basis, it’s better to ask than stay quiet.

In the interest of clearing up a few things once and for all for my non-fasting friends, here are the answers to some of your fasting month questions.

Why do you fast?

Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam – anyone who is of age (generally determined by reaching puberty), and is not ill or in a situation which makes it difficult for them to complete their fast (eg strenuous work), must fast.

For Muslims, fasting during the month of Ramadan is not just about abstaining from food and drink.

It’s also about abstaining from other things from sun rise to sundown – such as smoking and sex.

We are encouraged to stay away from all kinds of temptation.

But drinking water is okay, right?

No, really, we can’t!

Not water, or tea, or milk, nothing.

Yes, in this weather, this means you can get really parched, but the idea is to tahan (take it) until about 7 in the evening, when we’re able to eat and drink again during the iftar, or breaking of fast.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong joining congregants of the newly upgraded Mujahidin Mosque in Commonwealth for a break fast, or iftar, session in 2014. ST FILE PHOTO

So you can eat in the evening. When do you stop eating then?

We generally stop eating and drinking at imsak, which is about 10 minutes before the break of dawn, a practice of the Prophet Muhammad.

We are encouraged to wake up in the early mornings – around 4 to 5am in Singapore – to eat something before imsak – this morning meal is called sahur.

For some, it’s a couple of dates. For others, it can be a full meal of rice and other dishes.

We eat again at sundown, which coincides with the time of the Maghrib prayer, one of the five prayers Muslims do every day.

What happens if you accidentally eat or drink something during the day?

It can happen, simply out of habit. This has happened to most Muslims I know. If it’s unintentional, we keep fasting.

What happens if you feel dizzy, or ill?

Only those who are well enough to fast should do so. You are permitted to break your fast if you are unwell.

So, do you have to “pay back” for the days you didn’t fast?

Yes, we should pay back the missed days as soon as possible.

It doesn’t have to be continuous but before the next Ramadan comes around.

If one is unable to repay, or unable to fast for years, then he or she can pay fidyah, a sum of money calculated using the number of days missed that will be donated to the poor.

So do NSmen have to fast?

Yes, if they are not ill. A guidebook from the voluntary welfare organisation Perdaus encourages fasting NSmen to drink lots of water and eat in the morning before sunup to help them through the day.

Uh, should I not eat or drink in front of you?

That’s entirely up to you! Food smells are certainly much more distracting on an empty stomach, so it would be nice if you didn’t.

But dealing with temptation is a strong theme for us Muslims during Ramadhan. Just, you know, don’t tempt us on purpose, lah.

BH FILE PHOTO

How about those countries where the sun sets at night, or sometimes not at all during the summer months?!

I had the same question when I was a kid. Do they, like, never eat at all?

They do but their fast is longer.

Now that it’s summer and days can be very, very long in the northern hemisphere.

Muslims in places like Reykjavik, Iceland, may fast for up to 21 hours a day, reports Quartz.

However, some scholars say that for health reasons, Muslims in such places could follow the “morning to evening” timings for fasting.

So, after Ramadan ends, you celebrate Hari Raya, which is Muslim New Year, right?

Actually, Hari Raya Puasa, or Aidilfitri, means ‘festival of breaking of fast’ in Arabic.

We celebrate it right after Ramadan ends, during the next month in the Islamic calendar, Syawal.

Muslims are not permitted to fast on Hari Raya Puasa.

In Singapore and in some other countries, the celebrations continue for a month, with friends and family visiting each others’ houses in traditional garb, presenting both children and elders with ‘green packets’, and serving traditional Malay kuih, or cookies.

It is all-encompassing as non-Muslims are invited over, too!

BH FILE PHOTO

Unlike Chinese custom, the younger members of the family generally stop receiving green packets after they’ve started working. Eating dishes like ketupat, rendang and ayam masak merah, however, is permitted no matter how old you are.

Oh, and we do have a “Muslim New Year”, or more accurately Islamic New Year.

It falls on the first day of the first month in the Islamic calendar, called Muharram. Our next New Year will be from sunset on Oct 13 to sunset of Oct 14.

There’s another Hari Raya on my calendar. What’s the difference?

That would be Hari Raya Haji, which marks the end of the annual Hajj, where millions of Muslims travel to Mecca to perform the pilgrimage.

On this day, those who are able are meant to sacrifice, or korban, a goat, a cow or a sheep, with the meat being meant for your family, neighbours and the poor.

No, you don’t have to go to butchery school! Your neighbourhood mosque will likely be able to conduct the sacrifice on your behalf. Some Muslims opt to pay for animals to be sacrificed in other, usually poorer countries, so the meat can be distributed to the needy there.

The korban commemorates the prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael (the Quran doesn’t exactly say which son, but we believe it’s Ishmael, while Jews and Christians believe it’s Isaac).

Don’t worry, the story has a happy ending – at the last minute, the sacrifice is stopped and Ibrahim (or Abraham as he is otherwise known) is told by God that the deed has been fulfilled, as Ishmael has been replaced by a “great sacrifice”.

Okay, why do both Hari Rayas keep occurring earlier every year?

Because we get more and more eager to celebrate?

No. The real answer is that the dates are determined by the Islamic calendar, which has 12 months, but just 354 days.

The months are shorter as they follow the lunar cycle – the first day of the month starts when the first crescent is spotted. That’s how the beginning of Ramadhan is determined as well.

(The Islamic calendar is fully lunar, while the Chinese calendar is lunar-solar … that’s why Chinese New Year doesn’t move around as much as Hari Raya does.)

Also, this is why some years you get a public holiday bonanza, with Hari Raya Puasa falling in the same week as Chinese New Year from 1996 to 1998, and Hari Raya Haji (Eid-ul Adha) falling two days after Christmas in 2007.

Hopefully these answer the basics.

Source: www.tnp.sg

June 21, 2015
New Cafes And Restaurants Offer Ramadan Specials To Break Fast

This Ramadan, Muslims can break fast over satay and rendang pizza at casual restaurant Tasconi’s Pizza in Simpang Bedok.

The Muslim-owned Brunei franchise, which came to Singapore last December, is marking Ramadan for the first time this year, along with many other cafes and casual restaurants which have opened in the last 18 months.

It will be the first Ramadan for most of these places, including newer cafes such as four-month-old Wilder in North Bridge Road, six-month-old The Lab in Jalan Pisang and casual Western restaurant Royz Et Vous in Telok Ayer Street.

They are pulling out all the stops by offering special buka puasa menus and dishes to tantalise the tastebuds of diners.

Others, such as American buffalo wings franchise Wingstop, which has two outlets in Singapore, have recently become halal-certified and will be serving special food for break fast as well.

During the annual holy month of Ramadan, which begins on Thursday this year, Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk.

The day begins with a pre-dawn meal, or sahur, at about 5am, and ends with a meal at dusk.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the celebration which marks the end of the fasting period. It falls on July 17 this year.

Tasconi’s Pizza is incorporating satay and rendang into pizza to give the dish a twist, says its marketing consultant, Madam Nor Suhir.

The 48-year-old says: “Satay and rendang are traditional dishes that are a must-have during Ramadan. It is a time for Malays to balik kampung (come home), go back to basics and forget all about the modern things.

“Pizza is something generally more enjoyed by the younger generation. We wanted to bring together the young and old, as well as the new and traditional.”

This concept of melding the contemporary with the traditional to cater to different generations was also behind cafe Butter Studio’s new Ramadan set menus.

Inspired by the traditional Malay communal dining experience of food being served on dulangs (metal trays), the cafe will be offering modern brunch fare served on sharing platters for Ramadan.

It has created the Studio Eggs Ben platter, which has portions of Crabby Eggs Neptune, chicken Spam and chilli beans served on a silver sharing platter.

The All-Star Sliders Platter features three kinds of sliders – Signature Godfather Burger, The Elvis Burger and Mexican Wrestler Sliders – served on a wooden sharing platter. Both platters come with side dishes.

Miss Shannon Lua, 31, owner of Butter Studio, says: “We liked the heritage behind the dulang and found it thematic for Ramadan, which is all about families dining in and breaking fast together.

“At the same time, we wanted to offer an alternative to the traditional dulang set, which usually consists of rice and dishes. Teenagers who want something different can try this as they cannot enjoy brunch items when they fast in the day.”

Bakeries such as And All Things Delicious and Wheebake, which opened in May and January last year respectively, are also getting in on the act by offering a special range of baked goodies for Ramadan and Hari Raya.

The owner of And All Things Delicious, Mrs Dewi Imelda Wadhwa, 36, will be creating a Ramadan edition of her house blend granola by adding dates from Tunisia.

She says: “The granola is great for sahur (the pre-dawn meal Muslims take before fasting) as it is high in protein and will provide a slow release of energy throughout the day.”

Wheebake will be bringing back its popular rainbow butter cookies for its second Ramadan. The bakery sold more than 1,000 jars of its rainbow cookies during the fasting month last year.

Muslims such as document officer Nor Hayati and undergraduate Nurul Aqilah are interested in visiting these new cafes to break fast.

Madam Hayati, 55, who enjoys visiting new eating haunts, says: “I am excited to try out these places. I like Western food such as steak and pasta and many of these cafes serve a mixture of Western and local fusion food.

Miss Aqilah, 20, says: “My family would rather go to restaurants they usually go to as they will not be inclined to try out these places for the first time, especially during Ramadan. But I would definitely go to these cafes to break fast with my friends, who are younger and just as adventurous as me.”

CASUAL RESTAURANTS

TASCONI’S PIZZA

Tasconi’s pizza. — PHOTO: CHUBBY BOTAK KOALA

What: This Muslim-owned casual restaurant, which is in the midst of getting halal certification, will be launching its satay or rendang pizza ($23.80) and rendang baked rice ($9.90) for both dine-in and delivery this Ramadan. Go big with its Ramadan combo meals ($29.90 or $46.90), which consist of either satay or rendang pizza, rendang baked rice, Mexican wings, a bottle of drink and dates.

Its 15 other usual pizza flavours and signatures such as shepherd’s pie will still be available. There is a $3 charge for delivery.

Where: East Village, 430 Upper Changi Road, 01-61

Open: Normal opening hours are 10am to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), 10am to 11.30pm (Friday to Saturday). It will be open from 3 to 10pm (Monday to Thursday) and 3 to 11pm (Friday to Sunday) during the month of Ramadan.

Info: Call 6341-6991 or www.facebook.com/TasconiPizzaSingapore

WINGSTOP

Kecap Manis from Wingstop. — PHOTO: WINGSTOP SINGAPORE

What: Get your buffalo wings fix from this American franchise, which will be rolling out a new wing flavour, Kecap Manis, for Ramadan at its two recently halal-certified outlets.

Its 11 regular wing flavours such as Oriental Soy Pepper and Garlic Parmesan will also be available ($7.95 for six wings). There is also a Ramadan bundle for four people ($49.90) with 24 wings, eight tenders, four regular side dishes, vegetable sticks, four dips and four regular sodas.

Where: Bedok Mall, 311 New Upper Changi Road, B1-53, tel: 68449230; City Square Mall, 180 Kitchener Road, B1-33/34/K15, tel: 65096571

Open: 11am to 10pm daily

Info: www.facebook.com/wingstopsg

ROYZ ET VOUS

What: This Muslim-owned casual Western restaurant recently moved to bigger premises which seat 80. It will be offering three different Ramadan set menus every week.

Available from 7to 9pm, each set menu (from $20 to $30) includes a soup of the day, main course, dessert and drink. For the first week, diners can choose from three main dishes: garlic and chicken pasta, chicken stew or smoked duck breast served with side dishes. They can also choose to add on selective a la carte items (from $12.90) such as jalapeno poppers, buffalo wings, potato skins and pizza.

Where: 137 Telok Ayer Street, 01-01

Open: 8am to 9pm daily

Info: Call 6293-0270 or go to www.royzetvous.com.sg

CAFES

WILDER

Soba salad. — PHOTO: WILDER

What: Break fast over a range of Mexican food, traditional Malay food, fusion food and more at this Muslim-owned cafe, which will be introducing different cuisines on its Ramadan set menu every week from 7pm.

For the first week’s set menu ($35), starters offered are soba salad and lobster bisque. Choose between pan-seared salmon with mushroom pasta or pulled beef for mains. Dessert, water and dates to break fast are also included in the set.

Selected best-selling dishes such as salted egg fries and salted egg calamari off the cafe’s a la carte menu will still be available. The restaurant is also accepting pre-orders for its signature lasagne ($11.90) for takeaway.

Where: 749 North Bridge Road

Open: 12.30 to 10pm (Tuesday to Saturday), 12.30 to 9pm (Sunday), closed on Monday

Info: Call 6635-1136 or go to www.facebook.com/wilder.sg

SARAH’S THE PANCAKE CAFE

The Shabulan Ramadan from Sarah’s The Pancake Cafe serves pancakes topped with pieces of shabu shabu beef. — PHOTO: SARAH’S THE PANCAKE CAFE

What: This Muslim-owned cafe will be introducing a special break fast dish, the Shabulan Ramadan ($17.50). Available from 7pm, it features pancakes topped with slices of shabu shabu beef, caramelised onions and parmesan and cream cheeses, served with mixed vegetables on the side.

Dates are also offered to diners to break fast. The Shabulan Ramadan also comes as a meal ($19.50), which includes mushroom soup and a drink.

The cafe will continue to serve its regular a la carte dishes (from $9.50), including sweet and savoury pancakes, crepes, pasta and appetisers. Signatures include its Ala Dol (chendol) and Ala Mak (nasi lemak) pancakes.

Where: East Village, 430 Upper Changi Road, 01-62

Open: 10am to 10pm (Monday to Thursday), 9am to 11.30am and 2.30 to 11.30pm (Friday), 9am to 11.30pm (Saturday) and 9am to 10.30pm (Sunday)

Info: Call 9688-4163 or go to www.facebook.com/pages/Sarahs-The-Pancake-Cafe/1510133592538587

SEDAP CAFE

What: From 6 to 9pm daily, diners can dive into halal-certified Sedap Cafe’s Eat All You Can Buffet Ramadan Special ($15.50 nett each for adults and $9.50 nett each for children eight and younger).

It offers a spread of international and Asian fare. Highlights include Terengganu grilled chicken, Kelantanese grilled beef, squid salad, wasabi chicken, deep fried prawns and beef fajitas, as well as local delights such as briyani, mee siam and the signature nasi lemak.

Desserts and drinks are also provided. The cafe’s regular a la carte menu will still be offered during this period.

Where: The Sports Stage, 200 Pandan Gardens, 01-12

Open: 8am to 9pm daily. The Eat All You Can Buffet Ramadan Special is available from June 18 to July 16.

Info: Call 6899-1706 or go to www.sedap.com.sg

THE LAB

Mediterranean-inspired fragrant pilaf rice with grilled rosemary lamb chops. — PHOTO: THE LAB

What: From 6.30 to 9pm, this Muslim-owned Western cafe is offering a special Ramadan set menu ($38) that will include a choice of starter, main course, dessert and drink for break fast.

Diners have a choice among three starters and three main courses. Starters include spicy marinara mussels, grilled honey chicken joints and bruschetta. Mains include Mediterranean-inspired fragrant pilaf rice with grilled rosemary lamb chops, grilled salmon and local fusion food such as beef or chicken burgers with rendang sauce.

There are also vegetarian options under the set menu, such as fragrant pilaf rice paired with grilled aubergine.

Where: 1 Jalan Pisang, 01-01

Open: 12.30 to 10pm (Monday to Saturday), last order at 9.15pm; 1 to 9.30pm (Sunday), last order at 8.45pm

Info: Call 6299-5681 or go to www.facebook.com/weexperiment

BUTTER STUDIO

The All-Star Sliders Platter from Butter Studio. — PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

What: Head to this halal-certified cafe to break fast over its two special Ramadan sharing platters, for two to three diners. The platters are available from 6 to 8.30pm and reservations must be made.

Pick between The Studio Eggs Ben Platter ($59.90), which includes servings of Crabby Eggs Neptune, chicken Spam and chilli beans, or The All-Star Sliders Platter ($59.90), which offers three different types of sliders. Both platters come with chips and salad, as well as mocktail iced drinks and salted egg pandan madeleines for dessert. Its regular a la carte menu will also be offered.

Butter Studio is also offering Ramadan pastries (from $18) at its two halal-certified retail outlets. These include pandan pineapple balls, red velvet white chocolate cookies and gula melaka pandan cake rolls.

Where: Cafe is at 147 Jalan Besar, tel: 6294-7115. Retails outlets are at Takashimaya Food Hall, B2 Takashimaya Shopping Centre 08-4A, tel: 6734-6153; One KM Mall, 11 Tanjong Katong Road, B1-K13, tel: 6702-2820

Open: The cafe is open from 10.30am to 10pm (Sunday to Thursday), last order at 9pm; 10.30am to midnight (Friday and Saturday), last order at 10pm.

Both retails outlets are open from 10am to 9.30pm daily.

Info: Go to www.facebook.com/butterstudio

BAKERIES

AND ALL THINGS DELICIOUS

House blend granola. — PHOTO: CJ SAMEER WADHWA

What: Bakery owner Dewi Imelda Wadhwa has created a Ramadan edition of her house blend granola ($8 for a 200g pack, above). Containing Deglet Nour dates, rolled oats, desiccated coconut, almonds, soya oil, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, the granola is meant to be a Suhur meal before fasting.

In addition to selling her regular bakes made with halal ingredients, she has unveiled a special Hari Raya range of goodies for order during Ramadan. These include cakes such as gula melaka cake and orange-infused sugee cake (from $36), sticky pineapple jam scones ($34 for six), quiche ($55) and cookies (from $22).

Where: 462 Crawford Lane, 01-61

Open: 8am to 5pm (weekdays), 8am to 6pm (Saturday), closed on Sunday

Info: Call 6291-4252 or go to andallthingsdelicious.com

WHEEBAKE

Rainbow butter cookies. — PHOTO: WHEEBAKE

What: This Muslim-owned bakery is marking its second Ramadan by offering a special cupcake set called the Kampong Box ($16) with four cupcakes: ondeh ondeh, pandan kaya custard, bandung and chendol. Other goodies available only during Ramadan are the rainbow butter cookies ($16 a jar), mango sticky rice tart (from $7.50) and egg sponge roll with pineapple spread ($10 for three).

It will continue selling the usual cupcakes with eight to 12 flavours available daily, tarts, cakes and premium milkshakes with flavours such as salted caramel and bubblegum which were introduced early this month.

Where: 415 Pandan Gardens, 01-114Open: Normal opening hours are 1 to 7pm (Tuesday to Thursday), 1 to 9pm (Friday and Saturday), 11am to 6pm (Sunday), closed on Monday

It will be open from 1 to 6pm or till sold out (Tuesday to Sunday) during the month of Ramadan. It is closed on Monday.

Info: Call 6635-6693 or go to www.wheebake.com

Source: www.straitstimes.com

June 20, 2015