For the Rohingya refugees, many of whom call Malaysia home having fled persecution in Myanmar, this year’s end of Ramadan festivities will be muted.

They said their experiences are not far removed from that of any other Muslims in Malaysia, as they have found ways to manage some of the restrictions placed on the community this Ramadan.

“Since we aren’t allowed to go to mosques to break fast or pray, we organise our own buka puasa meals and prayers at home or at the surau,” said Abdul Aziz, 45, as he and other refugees sat down to prepare their dinner at Taman Lembah Maju.

Having been in Malaysia since 1993, Abdul said the threat of being troubled by the authorities had lessened compared to the early 2000s, which he described as a “scary time” for them.

Like many families kept apart during the pandemic, he is facing a second straight Hari Raya without his wife and three daughters, who he used to visit regularly in Thailand before international borders slammed shut early last year.

“That is the most difficult part of the situation. Being away from my family for so long, eventually depression starts to settle in,” he said.

This is made worse by the stroke he suffered two months ago that affected control over his left side and has made work as a roti canai seller difficult.

Sana Ullah, 46, an ustaz in his community who helps lead religious activities, said that like the rest of the country, they are waiting for the Hari Raya SOPs to be announced by the government.

“Usually, everyone in the community, maybe 30 to 40 of us, will all celebrate Hari Raya together. We will all have some food, we will go to pray together and we will celebrate.

“Now we have to see. If the government says only 10 people can gather, then that’s what we’ll do. Just like everyone else, we’re waiting to see what Hari Raya will look like.”

Grateful to have his wife and sons with him, Sana said the festive period is unlikely to be any more difficult than that of the average Malaysian, but still not an easy one.

However, he hoped people would not forget about other issues faced by people like him and his fellow Rohingya.

“Malaysians, the government, they know what we go through as refugees. That’s all I’ll say about that.”