Doing business in Asia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia.

Sheikh Muszaphar is the first Malaysian and first Muslim to go to space.

He vacuum packed Malaysian food including:

1. skewered chicken

2. banana rolls

3. fermented soybean cakes

4. ginger jelly

 to mark Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan, in space.

Despite Malaysian clerics decreeing he can be excused from fasting, the astronaunt who blasted off aboard the Russian rocket bound for the International Space Station, wrote "I am not sure how it would be done but I will share my experiences (with) all the Muslims all over the world when I get back." And that he would "definitely would be praying and fasting in space."

His actions go beyond the comprehension of many, me included, perhaps but no one can deny him his desire to remain faithful to his beliefs.

For that, he should be commended. 

Sheikh Muszaphar beat out 11,000 applicants in a nationwide search that began 4 years ago to become Malaysia's first astronaut.

One thing is for sure...he's one of Malaysia's best.

Congratulations, Malaysia! 

See also:

Guidelines for Performing Islamic Rites at the International Space Station