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Soon, most Muslims, both here and around the world, will be changing their eating patterns.

They will eat sahur , the predawn meal, at around 3 or 4 a.m., and have lunch and dinner in one sitting when they buka puasa or break their fast at sundown.

Some religious leaders calculate the start of Ramadan using astronomy, while others wait for the first sighting of the new moon.

But despite the debate among clerics about when the sacred month is actually supposed to start, it is looking more and more like a unified date will be agreed upon, and Ramadan will start on Saturday.

In any case, Muslims are looking forward to the special blessings this month brings.

For an observant Muslim, welcoming Ramadan — the ninth month of the Muslim calendar — with great joy is, in itself, a good deed.

In fact, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that whoever feels joy at the coming of Ramadan will not feel hell’s fire.

When I was a kid, Ramadan was a month that was eagerly anticipated.

Before the start of Ramadan, my neighbors would repaint their house so that it would look nice for celebrations at the end of the fasting month.

A day or two before Ramadan, all mukenas (the head-to-toe garments Muslim women wear when they pray), sarongs and sajadah (prayer mats) were washed and ironed. We also washed our hair in the belief that everything should be washed clean for Ramadan, even our bodies.

On the first few days of Ramadan, many non-Muslim people in some regions in Indonesia will probably find it difficult to find restaurants that are open during the daytime.

The same goes for entertainment venues, which are also closed on the first few days of Ramadan, out of respect.

For me, a wife and mother of two children, Ramadan means extra expenses.

Most Indonesians purchase new clothing or shoes for the members of their family at Idul Fitri. Whether or not you agree, extra money is definitely needed.

I really enjoy planning buka puasa menus. And these are not just any meals. It is Ramadan, so everything on the menu must be extra special. Above all, I want to make sure my children and husband are happy by serving them good nutritious food after they’ve gone all day hungry.

But still, I have to be careful about what I spend, otherwise there will be nothing left for celebrations with friends and family at the end of the month.

Therefore, I welcome Ramadan with great joy, not only because it is a religious duty, but because Muslims are given so many rewards from God during this holy month.

“Ramadan is the month during which the Koran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. God wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify God for guiding you, and to express your appreciation.” (The Koran 2:185)

A few days ago, my 9-year-old son, Zia, asked if he was obliged to fast during Ramadan. I replied that based on his age, he was not yet required to fast — but (I emphasized the “but”) fasting would be good training for him, as well as making him healthier. He was inclined not to agree — at least not until I said, “OK, if you get through the whole month fasting from dawn to dusk, I’ll give you a gift.” Then he said yes.

I really enjoy breaking my fast with food purchased at Benhill market, which is just a few blocks away from where I work.

Last year it was really hard to decide what to buy, since there were so many delicious foods available, like bubur kampiun (a combination of sweet, glutinous desserts), grilled fish, kolak (slices of root vegetables and bananas stewed in coconut and brown sugar) and mendoan tempe (battered tempeh).

Spending most of my fasting time in a modern office with many non-Muslim expatriates does not mean suffering the torment of seeing them drink and eat in front of me.

Well, at least, when I was fasting last year, most people at work were very respectful of Muslim traditions.

And that is what I call religious harmony. This should be maintained in order to build a good relationship between people of different cultures and religions. Isn’t it beautiful?

Isnarti Rohma is a translator with the Jakarta Globe.