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As twilight approached, a crowd of Muslims gathered at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to indulge in bowls of aromatic rice porridge known locally as “bubur lambuk”. This dish is a cherished part of Ramadan traditions that have been celebrated for decades.
Prepared in large pots with a variety of spices and stirred with hefty ladles, bubur lambuk is customarily made by volunteers in the mosque’s courtyard. It’s then shared with the community during iftar, the meal that breaks the daily fast in this predominantly Muslim nation.
At Masjid India, a prominent mosque in Kuala Lumpur, the unique broth served has an Indian twist, based on a recipe known as Nombu Kanji, as explained by the mosque’s imam, Muhammad Nasrul Haq Abdul Latif.
“This custom has been handed down through generations since the ’60s and ’70s,” he shared with AFP. “It has become a signature dish. Without Nombu Kanji, it just wouldn’t feel complete.”
Every day, mosque volunteers use 140 kilograms of rice to cook the porridge, which is either served to attendees in bowls or packed into 1,000 large plastic bags for distribution to the public. Each package is sufficient to feed a family of four.
“From our perspective, this initiative makes life easier for locals, including the homeless, those with low incomes, and office workers who sometimes lack the time to prepare their own meals,” he added. “Thus, mosque-provided iftar meals greatly assist in making their daily lives more manageable during Ramadan.”
Local resident Mohaiyadin Sahulhameed, who hails from India, expressed how the porridge reminds him of home. “In my village, we cook using large woks, incorporating curry leaves, mustard seeds, cinnamon, and other ingredients, which is very similar to the method used here. The scent is rich and familiar,” he noted.
The mosque’s cook, Sathakkathullah Hameed, views the daily preparation of porridge as a sacred duty. “During this holy month, I aspire to help others. Allah bestows rewards, mercy, and blessings. With His will, I will be provided for,” he explained. “When people enjoy the porridge I make, they say ‘Bismillah’ (in the name of God), and I respond with ‘Alhamdulillah’ (praise be to God).”
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