Having to work during ‘buka puasa’ hours is “no biggie”, not fault of non-Muslim customers

 

ONE WOULD have thought that this went without saying in Muslim-majority Malaysia but it appears basic courtesies still need reminding.

This was the message in a public service announcement aimed at non-Muslims by Facebook user, Uthaya Chandra. Urging empathy, the entrepreneur asked that Muslim staff be given the time and space to catch their breath when it was time to buka puasa (breaking of fast).

Stressing that they were humans and not machines, the well-intentioned citizen declared: “Respect costs nothing. We can do better. Let’s just be humans with hearts.”

Uthaya Chandra was reacting to a comment in a separate thread on X where non-Muslim customers were criticised for lacking common sense by thronging shops just when it was time to buka puasa. 

Though it was indeed the job of the cashiers to process the sales, surely these customers could avoid doing their massive shopping at that time. Buka puasa times are common knowledge and to ignore them is just pure “selfishness” it was surmised. 

One lady who had first-hand experience working at convenient chain 99 Speedmart as a cashier rebuffed the concerns as most outlets will have a roster to allow Muslim staff a short break to buka puasa and perform their prayers. 

In fact, they can then have a proper meal during their longer break. It was no biggie! Another commenter agreed with this succinct observation insinuating that the post was mere click bait.

One Muslims commenter also chipped in to highlight her son’s experience working in a shopping mall in Bukit Bintang. 

Muslim staff simply took turns to have their iftar meals, The same system was also used to determine leave during the festive season and everything has worked smoothly thus far. 

It was also opined that even if the management did not arrange accordingly, the staff need to voice out for this to be SOP (standard operating procedure). The onus should NOT be on the customer.

“Puasa is a test, not a privilege or entitlement.” This was the spot-on observation of one enlightened commenter who derided Muslims who expected daily routines to bend to suit their specific needs.

This sentiment was echoed by another commenter who pointed to the fasting foreign worker who toiled under the hot sun without complaint as true devotion. This was not reflected in the attitude of locals who grumbled incessantly about supermarkets and restaurants.

On the one hand, it really not too much to ask for Malaysians to adjust their daily routines during Ramadhan. What’s 10-15 minutes to allow Muslim staff a breather and to perform their religious obligations.

On the other, as pointed out by a few commenters, puasa is a test. Life goes on regardless of whether one is fasting or not. How one handles the challenges is the point of the exercise.

Besides, any organisation worth its salt will have made the proper provisions to allow Muslim staff to berbuka puasa. It is not like it is a new phenomenon and most well-run companies will have it as SOP.

Those who try to make this into yet another racial issue are somewhat missing the point of the holy month. Selamat berpuasa. –  Focus Malaysia