SINGAPORE — A woman who broke her fast on an MRT train found herself being admonished by a fellow passenger.

In an Instagram post by Sgfollowsall on Wednesday (April 12), the unnamed woman shared the unpleasant experience she had encountered that day. An article published by AsiaOne on Thursday later identified her only as Maryam, a 20-year-old woman.

According to her post that she contributed to Sgfollowsall, she had boarded the train at Clementi MRT Station at around 6.30pm, intending to travel 18 stops to Bedok MRT Station.

Knowing that the time to break her fast would be midway through the journey, she had prepared a Snickers chocolate candy bar for herself to eat when the time came.

As Muslims in Singapore observe the holy month of Ramadan, most are expected to adhere to a strict daily fast from dawn till dusk.

At sundown, they would traditionally break their fast with dates and water or a small snack. However, due to commitments like work and school, not everyone is able to break their fast at home or in a suitable setting.

Maryam told AsiaOne that she could not exit the train station to break her fast as she was rushing home for an online class at 8pm as well as to assist her parents in cleaning up after their iftar, the evening meal eaten after sunset.

But as she unwrapped the candy bar, a Chinese lady beside her on the train, who appeared to be in her mid-30s, told her off.

"(She) admonished (me, saying) that eating on the MRT is illegal and pointed at the sticker on the window," she explained in the Instagram post.

"I replied that I was fasting and I had to eat as I was too tired from work and it is mandatory to eat (anyway). She just ignored whatever I explained."

Nonplussed, Maryam said she did as she was told. When she asked the other passenger her opinion on people suffering from low blood sugar who need to eat, the other passenger simply repeated: "This is different, you still cannot eat on (the) MRT."

According to the SMRT website, eating or drinking is not allowed in trains and stations.

Even plain water is not permitted as "the beverage could spill and wet seats, soil other commuters' belongings or cause a fellow commuter to slip and fall".

However, there may be exceptions. SMRT adds that commuters can approach station staff to make "special arrangements" for consuming medication within station premises.

Upon exiting the train at Bedok MRT Station, Maryam said she approached an SMRT station staff to ask if it was acceptable for her to break her fast in the train as she was unable to exit the station.

She said the staff smiled and replied: "Yes, that is okay! Make sure you don't drop your wrapper, okay already."

Sharing her story with Sgfollowsall, Maryam said that the incident was "quite sad (for her) as (she) had thought people would be more considerate and educated about certain things".

She also told AsiaOne that it was the first time that such an incident happened to her.

"Just last week, I consumed a packet of gummy bears onboard a train," she added. "The passenger beside me noticed but they smiled at me."

Calling for more empathy in her post on the Sgfollowsall page, Maryam concluded: "What I want to convey is that, please be considerate when someone is consuming candies or food that doesn't soil the place on public transport.

"You might not know how urgent it is for them, especially Muslims who are fasting.

"If possible, if you see a Muslim on board and it is time (to) break fast and they are not having anything, offer them (something) if you have (it)!"

The post has sparked an earnest debate in the comments, with netizens taking turns to criticise both parties.

Many felt that the fellow passenger was simply "being unnecessary" as Maryam had already clarified that she had to break her fast.

"Some people have no empathy," read the top comment. "It's not like OP (original poster) is eating an eight-course meal on the train."

Another shared their own experience with a lack of empathy on public transport: "I have openly (blacked) out in the MRT and no one helped me. When I came to, I found out I was still on the floor with everyone's eyes still glued to their phones.

"People really don't care. It terrifies me tbh (to be honest)."

Others labelled the other passenger a "Karen", using a pejorative slang term for an obnoxious, entitled and demanding woman. They joked that the woman should have ignored her and continued eating the chocolate bar.

"I would have kept the Snickers bar and taken out a plate of food in front of the lady, ngl (not gonna lie)," read one comment.

"The more she says 'don't eat', the more I will eat," said another in Malay.

But a large group also felt that Maryam was at fault, including other Muslims observing Ramadan, saying that she had gone against the rules.

In another top comment, a fellow Muslim said: "You have to understand that you are living communally... don't expect others to understand what you are doing.

"Even if you explain, the rule is 'don't eat in the train' (and) there are reasons for that... If you had to, a sweet or date or (sip of) water discreetly (would) suffice.

"People can be considerate and educated but why must everyone make an exception for you and the religion? It is a gift if others accept our exceptions. So don't take it for granted that we will always receive gifts."

Others agreed, saying that she should have "tahan (endured in Malay)" or alighted to break the fast as delaying the breaking of the fast is not a sin.

Still, many Muslim commenters were quick to disagree.

One responded: "Delaying isn't a sin? I'm shocked if that's the case. My family won't shut up about it, saying 'jangan simpan nanti dosa' (don't keep your fast, it's a sin)".

Several pointed out that she was simply raising social awareness of Islamic traditions.

"It's not a personal problem, it's a whole issue brought to light," explained another Muslim user.

"Singapore is a multiracial country and we expect people to know that it is Ramadan as it is an important period for (the) Muslim community, which is quite big."

President of SMRT Trains Mr Lam Sheau Kai responded to queries from TODAY on Saturday (April 15) and reiterated that the consumption of food and drinks is not allowed on trains, based on Rapid Transit System (RTS) regulations.

He added that SMRT has special "WeCare rooms" at selected stations and bus interchanges with facilities to serve commuters who are feeling unwell or for parents with babies.