Last June 21, it was the day that Roni Djubiartoro Utoyo discharged from St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou after finished his treatments. But to our surprise, he did not rush to return to Indonesia, instead accompanied by his family, he showed up in the hospital 3 days after his discharge. When asked about the reasons, he told us he would like to stay here for the coming Eid al-Fitr.

“This is my first time to celebrate Eid al-Fitr in China, which I believe will be unforgettable.” said Roni. Roni organized this solemn and meaningful celebration for Eid al-Fitr with the help of his families and medical staff in St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou.

Roni (back) and medical staff are preparing for Eid al-Fitr activities*

Annual Eid al-Fitr, is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Last Sunday (June 25) there was a celebration in St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou for Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan. All Muslims cancer patients and their families were invited to the 9th floor International Communication Center to celebrate such a solemn celebration. Roni expressed his holiday greetings to the patients and their families in the scene; and extended his thanks to the medical staff in St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou for support for this event.

Scene of Eid al-Fitr 

Roni is making a welcome address*

“Eid al-Fitr is a traditional festival of Islam. On this day, wherever we are, we will celebrate it and pray to Allah for our families and next generation for happiness and good luck.” All Muslims patients and their families celebrated the day with their own unique expressions. They shook hands with each other and expressed greetings and blessings to each other. Hospital Nursing Director He Liangqiong also came to the celebration, on behalf of St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou to express a holiday blessing.

On behalf of medical staff, Nursing Director He Liangqiong expresses a holiday blessing 

Muslims patients and their families expresses greetings and blessings to each other

There was, of course, special food in Eid al-Fitr. In accordance with the custom, every Muslims household will fried pasta, and slaughtered cattle and sheep used to entertain their guests and friends. But conditions were limited in the hospital, so a roasted sheep, roasted chicken and fried rice were ordered from the outside Halal restaurant. For patients, their diets should be light, so there were also white rice, vegetables, and some soy foods presented.

Food sharing time

After the feast then came the performance time, Muslims patients and their families got themselves fully involved in dancing, singing and games playing. They laughed and they had fun. Many Muslim patients and family members told us that they felt warm and happy in such a special night in China.

Performance time

According to Roni, broadly speaking, the meaning of Eid al-Fitr not only lies in their success in no eating or drinking, no sexuality and no duplicity in Ramadan, but means that they have been turned into a patient, tough and tenacious person in this process, with a better mental outlook to fight against disease and hardship.

Hereby, all medical staff of St. Stamford Modern Cancer Hospital Guangzhou wish all the patients here a early recovery!

*Surgery, in addition to the appropriate chemotherapy and radiotherapy, are effective in treating early cancer, but certain patients in late stage of cancer may not be tolerate surgery well as they can be relatively weak. A combination of carefully planned minimally invasive therapy, chemotherapy or radiotherapy can effectively reduce the side effects and discomfort of treatment and may help patient get better efficacy.