22/02/2026

ON SUNDAY February 22, 2026 II theSunday Special

Stories exploring what it means to observe Ramadan, a month where the soul seeks peace and stability Between work, worship and rest

R AMADAN in Malaysia has always been a collective expe rience. From quiet predawn sahur kitchens to glowing bazaars at dusk, the month reshapes daily life in subtle and profound ways. Yet the way Malaysians observe Ra PDGDQ WRGD\ LV QR ORQJHU GH¿QHG E\ D single rhythm. Work schedules, fam ily structures and personal journeys of IDLWK DOO LQÀXHQFH KRZ LQGLYLGXDOV PRYH through the fasting month. For some, Ramadan is about recalibrat ing ambition and responsibility. For others, it is a lesson in discipline and self kindness. And for those new to the faith, it can be a deeply emotional education in patience, belonging and love. Here, three Malaysians share how their Ramadan routines have evolved, shaped by work, family and spirituality. E DFK VWRU\ VWDQGV RQ LWV RZQ UHÀHFWLQJ D GL̆ HUHQW ZD\ RI EDODQFLQJ WKH GHPDQGV of modern life with the deeper purpose of the holy month. Grounded in the hustle Badrillah Jeevan is used to movement. With a career spanning decades, from being part of Starbucks Malaysia’s pioneer batch in 1998 to running his own advisory consultancy today, he has grown accus tomed to a pace where slowing down is rarely an option. Long hours, constant decision-making and a calendar that rarely sits still are part of the job. For many professionals, this kind of busyness can quietly lead to mental clutter and a gradual drifting away from what truly matters. BY AQILAH NAJWA JAMALUDDIN

SDUHQWV DUH LQ D GL̆ HUHQW FRXQWU\ VR WKHVH moments as a family matter even more. Nothing beats mum’s cooking,” he said. Rest, for him, is not about stepping away completely but about alignment. A better-managed day, one centred on faith, IDPLO\ DQG SXUSRVH IHHOV PRUH IXO¿OOLQJ and balanced. In the midst of relentless schedules and ambition, Ramadan serves as a reminder that life, at its core, is about presence, responsibility and returning to what truly matters.

“I wear many hats. I’ve been in hos pitality since 1998, so my experience of 5DPDGDQ KDV GH¿QLWHO\ HYROYHG RYHU WKH years,” he said. Earlier in his career, Ramadan existed alongside long shifts and unpredictable hours. As an ‘any time, any day’ barista in his younger years, fasting was something to endure while work continued as usual. Today, as the founder of Jeevs Insights in Hospitality and F&B and a licensed tourist guide, Ramadan has become a month of conscious recalibration. “With age comes maturity and the realisation that first and foremost, we are His caliphs here on earth. That un derstanding changes how you manage priorities, especially during Ramadan,” Badrillah explained. Rather than cutting back on work, Badrillah restructures his days around what matters most to him during the holy month. Sahur begins his mornings earlier, while his goal is to end work before iftar whenever possible. “This Ramadan, my personal goal is not just to perform my fast, but to place priority on my tarawih prayers. Everything else needs to revolve around that,” he said. Despite the popular narrative that Ramadan is a time to slow down, Badril ODK VHHV LW GL̆ HUHQWO\ “As an entrepreneur, slowing down simply doesn’t exist in my vocabulary. It’s more about being intentional in how I plan and manage my day,” he noted. That intention extends beyond work into family life. As a father to two growing daughters, aged nine and 12, Ramadan has become increasingly precious. “With both my girls growing up so quickly, having sahur followed by breaking fast together is very special. My

Once we’ve set our priority, everything else revolves around it.”

Badrillah

T KH OHVVRQV 5DPDGDQ R̆ HUV FRQWLQXH to shape his professional life long after the month ends. “Once we’ve set our priority, everything else revolves around it. That applies whether I’m guiding tourists or running my business,” he said. For other professionals navigating similar demands, his advice is rooted in intention. “Everything starts with niat . When you pursue meaningful work with passion, it becomes easier to execute. With prayers and dua , Ramadan becomes a month ¿OOHG ZLWK SXUSRVH DQG IXO¿OPHQW ´ KH said. Finding balance at work S R¿DK 6HQHQ ZRUNV D ¿[HG QLQH WR ¿YH schedule as a digital marketer, navigating deadlines, meetings and campaigns while observing the fasting month. For her, Ramadan is not a disruption to work life but a month that demands structure, intention and quiet strength. “Ramadan definitely changes the rhythm of my day, but in a very positive way. I become more intentional with how I use my time and more productive in terms of ibadah ´ 6R¿DK VDLG

Badrillah plans his days to prioritise faith, family and professional commitments.