Hari Raya Puasa
Muslims celebrate the festival of Aidilfitri, popularly known as Hari Raya Puasa,
or simply Hari Raya (Day of Celebration) in Malaysia – to mark the culmination
of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting.
It is a joyous occasion for Muslims, as it signifies a personal triumph, a
victory of self-restraint and abstinence, symbolising purification and renewal.
Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is compulsory or wajib, whereby Muslims are
required to abstain from satisfying their most basic needs and urges, daily,
between sunrise and sunset. It is one of the five tenets of Islam; as is the
paying of zakat (alms tax for the poor), which must be tithed by the end of
Ramadhan.
In Malaysia, the period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the
evening of the last day of Ramadhan. The actual sighting is conducted by state
appointed religious officials at various vantage points (usually at hilltops)
throughout the country.
If the crescent is sighted, the following day is then declared the first day of
Aidilfitri, which is also the beginning of the 10th month of the Muslim calendar
Syawal.
Aidilfitri is celebrated for the whole month of Syawal, but in Malaysia, only
the first two days are observed as public holidays. It is widely common however,
to see Muslims taking the first week off from work.
Urbanites make their annual pilgrimage to their hometowns (this is popularly
referred to as balik kampung), to be with parents, relatives and old friends.
Thus, cities like Kuala Lumpur get relatively quiet during the festive season of
Aidilfitri.
The Muslim community ushers in the first day of Aidilfitri by congregating at
mosques for morning prayers. Everyone is usually decked out in their traditional
best to mark the special occasion. Men are usually dressed in Baju Melayu, while
the Baju Kurung, the quintessential Malay attire for females, is the prefered
choice for the fairer sex.
Then it's usually breakfast at home with the family, followed by a visit to the
cemetery where deceased loved ones are remembered; graves are cleaned and
cleared of overgrowth, and prayers are offered to Allah.
This is also a time to forgive and forget past quarrels. Asking for pardon is
done in order of seniority. The younger members of a family approach their
elders (parents, grandparents etc) to seek forgiveness, to salam (Muslim
equivalent of a handshake), then kiss the hands of the older person as a sign of
respect.
The usual greeting (that is uttered with the salam) during Aidilfitri is
“Selamat Hari Raya”, which means “Wishing you a joyous Hari Raya”.
Children and old folks are given duit raya or gifts of money, in small
envelopes. In recent years, many givers have opted for the Chinese practice of
putting the money in ang pow packets; however instead of the usual red, the
packets are green in colour.
Although the first three days are celebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims
hold “open house” throughout the month, where friends and neighbours of other
races are invited to join in the celebrations.
undo Malaysian Festivals