JAPAN - An Indonesian citizen (WNI) who works for a company in Yokohama, Japan is forced to fast without listening to Adhan's voice. How come?

"So far, I've never seen a mosque, but he said it's there. Of course it's different from the one in Indonesia whose toa (speaker) is everywhere. Here, I don't even hear his voice. Usually use an application," said Hendrik, one of the Indonesian citizens who lives in Yokohama, Japan, when contacted by VOI, Wednesday, March 13.

Hendrik admitted that he really missed the call to prayer that was heard during Maghrib. Especially when breaking up with family in his village, Solo, Central Java.

Sometimes I like to miss my parents' cooking when breaking the fast. But how, I contract here for up to 5 years," he said.

Hendrik explained that the month of Ramadan in Yokohama is not much different from the usual month. Because the Muslim population in Japan is a minority so there are not many changes in normal days.

"Here it's just like normal, here people don't think that Ramadan exists. Because in my office alone, there are no Indonesians. So you can say there are no Muslims," he said with a laugh.

Hendrik admitted that fasting in Japan has a duration of up to 14-17 hours, determined by weather conditions in his area.

"If it's summer, generally the afternoon will be longer so their fasting will take up to 17 hours," he said.

To find a menu for breaking the fast, Hendirk admitted that it was difficult. Because food in Yokohama, Japan is generally categorized as not halal. Therefore, Hendrik chose to buy minimarket food which is fairly safe.

"There are no roadside snacks (halal), there are restaurants or mini-markets," he concluded.


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