Woman Relates Backpacking To Aceh During Ramadan

By Norsyafawati Ab Wahab PUTRAJAYA, July 11 (Bernama) -- Spurred by an interest to see the aftermath of the Aceh tsunami tragedy in 2004, and a desire to experience fasting in Aceh, a company executive travelled to Indonesia as a backpacker during Ramadan. "I love travelling as a backpacker and have always wanted to travel to Aceh after listening to various amazing stories on the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami tragedy. Thus, I was determined to see it for myself," said Nurul Hazwani Mohd Nashir. She was later joined by a friend who shared an interest in her backpacking travel. Sharing her four days and three nights of experience there on her Facebook, Nurul Hazwani, 28, said Ramadan in Aceh differed from that in Malaysia. "Over there, food is sold as early as 5pm until Tarawikh time, and the food business continues after Tarawikh prayers, until late at night," she said. She said the syriah police in Aceh were constantly doing their rounds to ensure shops operated accordingly. When there, Nurul Hazwani was intrigued by a popular beverage sold during the fasting month, known as 'rojak' juice which tasted like diluted rojak sauce with a mix of fruits. She also visited places which were affected by the tsunami, such as the Rahmahtullah Mosque, floating diesel power plant ship, Aceh Tsunami Museum as well as other tourists spots in Aceh. Nurul Hazwani expressed gratitude that in her travels there, she was able to perform Tarawikh prayers with the congregation in Aceh, who she found to be devout Muslims. -- BERNAMA