PETALING JAYA: For Bosnian-born Rukija Kulasic, who fled her war-torn country 30 years ago, there’s comfort in the peaceful, community spirit of Ramadan in Malaysia, as well as its celebratory nature.
It’s a contrast to Ramadan in Bosnia, which was a family-centred time, with meals cooked at home rather than sold at bazaars.
“In Malaysia, it’s like another celebration especially with the bazaars. It’s a nice experience with friends after buka puasa as well, deciding which place to go for supper,” she told FMT.
“I just enjoy the relationships I have during this time, the ‘silaturahim’ as Malaysians would say,” she said. “Ramadan brings people closer together and people are more respectful.”
Kulasic said Hari Raya Aidilfitri was a much bigger celebration in Malaysia than in Bosnia, where Hari Raya Haji is more significant.
But her family would not miss out on Aidilfitri celebrations: they have plans to attend open houses for rendang and lemang.
Kulasic, called Rukie by friends, was one of a number of Bosnians who fled to Malaysia as refugees during the ethnic conflicts and wars of independence when Yugoslavia fell apart in the 1990s.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, a nation of Bosnian Muslims, or Bosniaks, suffered a campaign of genocide of “ethnic cleansing” waged largely by Serbs and the army of the former Yugoslavia.
Malaysia, under prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, championed the cause of Bosnian Muslims, with his then deputy Anwar Ibrahim playing an equally prominent role, providing a safe haven to hundreds of Bosnian families.
Reflecting on the conflict and her family’s decision to settle in Southeast Asia, Kulasic said they felt much safer in Malaysia given that it was far from the war and a Muslim-majority country.
“We felt we’d be more accepted here,” she said, adding that her family saw no reason to return to their homeland after the war ended as they had made a life for themselves in Malaysia.
After the Yugoslav wars ended, many Bosnians returned home or moved to other parts of Europe, or to Australia and the United States, but a small number remained in Malaysia.
Kulasic said there were around 50 Bosnians currently here, and while the community is scattered throughout the country, they try to hold gatherings as much as possible, especially during Ramadan.
She said her family, consisting of her father, brother and herself, try to maintain as much of their cultural roots as possible by speaking the language and cooking Bosnian food at home.
After 30 years here, she struggles a little with her identity. She has a Bosnian passport and permanent resident status in Malaysia.
“I was born in Bosnia and my family is from there but internally I’m 100% Malaysian. I grew up here, speak the language and have become accustomed to the culture.”
She said they would be enjoying the Aidilfitri festivities with their “extended Malaysian family”.
Kulasic, who said she loves Langkawi and sambal belacan, said she had no intention of leaving Malaysia in the foreseeable future and is looking forward to visiting Penang and Melaka after Ramadan.
“I enjoy Malaysia as it is,” she said, with a grin. -FMT
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