My First Iftar in Putra Mosque during Ramadhan

My First Iftar in Putra Mosque during bulan Ramadhan

As a photographer who love to explore new places and culture, I am going to share my FIRST Berbuka Puasa/Iftar (Break Fast) experience in Putra Mosque right in Putrajaya, Malaysia. All these were unplanned as I was there to find interesting architechture in Putrajaya and take photos of it by just using my mobile phone. It was for #DayAndNight and '12vs12' mobilegraphy challenge.

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I parked my car opposite this beautiful mosque in Putrajaya with a river between us. Found an interesting perspective to capture the beauty of Putra Mosque with pink dome. There seems to have river/lake cruise for tourist to enjoy the scenery of Putrajaya. It was a very sunny day hence good lighting for outdoor photoshoot.

The weather was very hot but that means it will be a good day for photography
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Majlis Keselamatan Negara during day time

I've decided to go and check out Putra Mosque hence I walk towards there and saw Majlis Keselamatan Negara from far. Here's a tips for mobile photography, make sure the building is in direct proportional so it looks neat and the line on the road will leads you to the subject in the middle.

Do make sure the road is clear and be careful when taking photos in the middle of the road.

Putra Mosque in Putrajaya

Slowly getting nearer to Putra Mosque, saw buses with tourist from various countries stop by here for a quick tour. Continue scroll down to see how picture above looks like at night.

Pay a visit to Putra Mosque, you might need to wear a robe to show respect depends on your attire 

For tourist wearing less suitable attire, robes are provided for you to wear and explore Putra Mosque. Since there are many tourist from China nowadays, the volunteers here can speak Chinese too.

Majlis Keselamatan Negara with the beautiful sunset and greenery

Check out the interior of Putra Mosque

Since I was wearing the proper outfit, I don't need to wear the robe (although it is quite fun to wear it as props for photoshoot, definitely instaworthy in a way). I went into the center of Putra Mosque's main hall. Left area is dedicated for female Muslims and right hand side dedicated for male Muslims.

There were volunteers in the main hall giving explanation on the history of Putra Mosque, and even explained about Putra Mosque's building structures.

She introduced me to Iman and his family for an Iftar Session happening in Putra Mosque

After some chit-chat, I asked about the layout around the mosque compound and found out that they are having a break-fast (Berbuka puasa/iftar) session that evening. I was very interested and asked if non-Muslim (like me) can join it. 

She said "Yeah of course!", and I was then being introduced to Iman and his family who has a guest who are interested in breaking fast at the mosque too. What a beautiful coincidence, I am very glad that Iman and his family are kind enough to let me join their iftar as this is pretty last minute for them. Thanks them for sharing food and experience in this special evening.

Layout of  mat with sweet-dates and cakes on it for breaking fast later in mosque compound

 While waiting for iftar around 7.30pm, I had a walk around trying to find the beautiful corner of Putra Mosque. Since it was the month of Ramadhan, there are mats on the floor with plate containing sweet-dates and tiny cakes for break-fast later. The iftar area was separated into male, female and family corner.

The sunset shining through one of the window and create this beautiful scene. Above is the area for female Muslims to pray.

Direct view of the Pink Dome of Putra Mosque from the inside. Isn't it beautiful?! Lights were slowly switching on when the sun sets.

One of my favourite scene is when I saw the lights shining through the huge glass windows/door panel. It just give you more feel and contrast for the photo. Especially when there are people praying in there.

A couple waiting for iftar at the family area

We are at the family iftar area in Putra Mosque

Family and kids all gathered here in Putra Mosque for Berbuka Puasa. When the prayers go on, that means we are ready to iftar. But before that, it is actually a very good time for family and friends to sit down and chit-chat with each other. I believe this helps keep the family close.

Thanks to the beautiful sunset at Putra Mosque

Iman showed us steps to clean ourselves before iftar

We went to the basement of Putra Mosque and there's this huge area where you can clean yourself before breakfast. From hand, face to leg and toes.

Variety of food for iftar in the mosque

Iman's mom already prepared a lot of food for berbuka-puasa. Japanese and English style dishes. There were more variety of foods because people around us sharing their food and Iman's family share theirs with other too. This is pretty fun as you get to try more food through sharing.

Iman's grandma love the bread that was shared by others. I love her energy in knowing and making new friends in here.
She definitely has a Master in PR haha! I need to learn from her!

FUN FACT ABOUT IFTAR:
After breaking fast with dates and water, most people will begin to leave the dining area and go to pray the sunset prayer.  The prayer will usually take under 10 minutes and you will see people went back and continue eating the main meal.

Area for kids to pray in the mosque before Iftar

Prayer moment for guys during iftar session in Putra Mosque

Adhan, called out by a muezzin (right in the middle of this photo) during iftar session

Adhan, called out by a muezzin during iftar session

Muslims gathered together for Adhan in Putra Mosque

Food and drinks being served right after Adhan

Iftar dining area for male muslims in Putra Mosque, Putrajaya

 Spicy chicken with nasi briyani and vegetables are being served in the mosque that evening. Each person get to take two slice of watermelon so that it is enough for everyone. Kids were given priority to take their food first and it was a nice scene to be document down.

After the iftar session, me and Iman went to the Bazaar Ramadhan nearby Perbadanan Putrajaya. It was crowded with people who break their fast here at the field. I didn't know that Perbadanan Putrajaya can be this happening at night. There's a huge tent with vendors selling baju raya, kuih raya and many more. What attracted me more is actually the building architectures around me.

Too bad that the food stores has already close as our initial plan was to get some bazaar Ramadhan's food as supper hahaa.

Perbadanan Putrajaya at night is happening during Ramadhan month

Balloons with LED Lights on it - One for RM15

There were kids selling these balloons with LED lights and it cost around RM15 for one. We got one for the sake of slow shutter/long-exposure mobilegraphy. Below are some photos that me and Iman created together.

Perbadanan Putrajaya at night is happening during Ramadhan month

Perbadanan Putrajaya at night is happening during Ramadhan month.Thanks Iman being the model of the day

Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin / Masjid Besi at night

We went to explore Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin / Masjid Besi with Chinese and German-influenced steel architecture. Love the architecture layout especially this gothic arch dome at the entrance. Again, thanks Iman for being the model of the day.

Masjid Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin / Masjid Besi at night

It was close to 10pm and it was the right time to send Iman back to his house (Ibelieve their parent worry that I would kidnap his children hahaha #justkidding). I was fortunate to meet all the new friends of the day and special thanks to Iman and his family for letting me to experience my first iftar in a mosque. It was an amazing and eye-experience for me. If you don't know, non-muslim are always welcome to berbuka-puasa with muslim friends.

Majlis Keselamatan Negara during night time

After sent Iman back home safely, I drove back to the area near Putra Mosque and Majlis Keselamatan Negara during day time to complete my "12 vs 12 mobilegrapy project".  A photography project that involve taking photos of the same location with time and light difference. I didn't bring along a tripod or mark down the locations but by just remember the building structures around us it is still possible to create this #DayAndNight photo collage. I am not sure whether these photos are good enough but scroll down and leave a comment, let me know how's it. Okay? =)

#DayAndNight 1: Putra Mosque, Putrajaya #withGalaxy #GalaxyS9

#DayAndNight 2: Putra Mosque, Putrajaya #withGalaxy #GalaxyS9

#DayAndNight 3: Putra Mosque, Putrajaya #withGalaxy #GalaxyS9

#DayAndNight 4: Putra Mosque, Putrajaya #withGalaxy #GalaxyS9

My #mobilegraphy journey was made possible with the helps from new friends that I've met that day. A HUGE thanks again to Iman and his family, and everyone else that I met the other day.  Since it was an unplanned iftar, I would like to apologize that I didn't fast during the day. I hope intermittent fasting can be considered as something slightly similar to Puasa*

Therefore, if you want to experience iftar for the first time, you might want to read this first:

• Things you need to know before your first Iftar

A #TCSelfie taken with Andrew, Iman and his family after iftar together in Putra Mosque

I am glad that I didn't bring my DSLR along as it might scare people away because of the huge size camera and sometimes strangers might feel intimidated. I do consider this mobilegraphy project a success in a way that I've gained new experience berbuka-puasa together, make new friends and of course new photography attempt with the #DayAndNight or '12 vs 12' project.

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Camera Review & Low Light Photo Sample

In case you want to know which phone I used for this mobilegraphy outing, it is Samsung Galaxy S9+. The lowlight photography capability is really good and sometimes I hope that I can adjust the ISO to more than ISO800 to push it to the limit. You can see more photo samples taken using Samsung Galaxy S9+ and my review here.

However, I do feel that sometimes Samsung S9's sensor is too good that I can't do light painting/long exposure photography in places that's not dark enough. I am currently looking for suitable ND filter (to reduce amount of light entering the sensor) AND also suitable wide lens for this camera phone.

Samsung S9+ (S9 Plus) vs S8+ Camera Phone Review: Super Slow-mo and AR Emoji

PS: Most of the mobile phones camera lens in the market now are made of plastic or low quality glasses which will affect the photo quality. If you have recommended Wide Lens for Samsung Phones, do let me know and I would like to try them out.

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