The month of fasting for our Muslim friends is here, and for a second year, some will require to observe the month separated from their loved ones due to the travel restrictions.
But a recent survey from Snapchat has shown that spirits are still high as Malaysian Snapchatters are determined to celebrate traditions new and old in an untraditional year.
Photo via Pinterest
Embracing traditions, old and new
After a year marked by cancellations and changed plans, Snapchatters are welcoming a digital space to celebrate and connect with the people they care about. Being respectful of SOPs and travel restrictions, the majority 61% of Malaysian Snapchatters are thinking up creative ways to make the April holidays like Ramadan feel special, whereas 73% of them plan to celebrate in one way or another.
While festivities may look different, the desire to celebrate with loved ones remains strong with most Snapchatters plan on spending time with their immediate family (55%) during the festive season and some of the Snapchatters (39%) plan to spend the holidays with friends.
When it comes to how they’ll celebrate, most Malaysian Snapchatters (71%) say they’ll use the app to share photos and videos from their holiday celebrations, and 41% of them wish to connect with their close friends and family via Snapchat.
For those that aren’t able to gather together in-person this year, Snapchat continues to serve as an important platform for connection. Conversation trends in 2020 show that at the peak of quarantine, Snapchatters were still looking for ways to connect with others for the holidays. For Snapchatters observing Ramadan, words like ‘iftar’, ‘fasting’, and ‘donate’ dominated the conversation.
Creativity Counts: Celebrate the Snapchat way
This Ramadan, Snapchat wants to help Snapchatters continue to stay in touch with their family and friends in creative ways, be it digitally berbuka puasa together or sending festive wishes from miles away.
Snapchatters can be creative using the array of Snapchat features from localised Bitmojis to AR Lenses.
Ramadan-themed Bitmoji:
Ramadan-themed Lenses:
Malaysian pride: Yong Nurain, Snapchat Official Lens Creator (OLC)
In celebration of the Ramadan festive season, Yong Nurain, also known as Yuzine Suzu on Snapchat, has created a festive-themed Portal Lens, About Ramadan. The Lens leads Snapchatters into an alternate portal filled with posters that represent elements of this Holy Month.
Yong is Snapchat’s latest addition to its growing global community of creators and the second Malaysian to become an OLC.
Despite everything that has happened recently, we want to wish all our Muslim friends a Happy Ramadan, and may you be blessed with good health, peace and happiness on this joyous occasion!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
