echo It’s that time of year when sparkly yellow and green decorations embellish the public surroundings. Festive “Raya” music can be heard from speakers, as people put on their best outfits while showing off happy smiles to celebrate the end of a month of fasting.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri, also known as Eid al-Fitr, (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) is one of the main Islamic celebrations that happens at the end of the Ramadan month. The festivities begin on the first day of the Islamic calendar, marking the start of the Syawal month. Syawal typically lasts for 29 or 30 days, where grand celebrations usually happen within the first three days of the month.
Ramadan, the Holiest month of the Islamic Calendar
Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar where Muslim individuals will fast from dawn to sunset daily. This period spans 29 to 30 days, and its beginning is signified by the face of the moon. In the Islamic calendar, months change according to the lunar appearance; months begin with the crescent moon and end when the next crescent moon appears.
During the month of Ramadan, fasting begins before sunrise, where the meal before beginning the fast is called ‘sahur’. From the Islamic stance, sahur is identified as a blessing to help fasters carry out their daily activities free from crankiness and weakness. At the end of the day, individuals will break their fast with ‘iftar’ together with family and friends. Traditionally, sweet dates and various dishes are eaten to end the full day of fasting. Prayers are also done throughout the day, with an emphasis on ‘tarawih’ prayers, which are prayers that are exclusively done during Ramadan.
In Islamic culture, it is encouraged to give during the month of Ramadan. Those who are privileged are urged to provide their help to the needy. Donations and charity work are usually carried out as it is believed to bring more blessings and virtues to an individual during the month of Ramadan. These donations are known as ‘Sadaqah’, which is voluntary, and ‘Zakat’, which is compulsory.
Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri In Malaysia
During Ramadan in Malaysia, “Bazar Ramadan” becomes a hot topic of discussion. Oftentimes, friends and family will take to these large-scale bazaars to get their meals and snacks for the night, having exclusive foods that are hard to find at any other time of year. Savoury and sweet dishes, desserts, as well as refreshing beverages are sold at these bazaars that consist of never-ending rows of street side stalls. The vendors are typically those who are also fasting, making it a wholesome and joyful experience for all bazaar-goers.
As a month of fasting passes smoothly, Hari Raya Aidilfitri graces households across Malaysia. Families watch intently to the announcement of the end of Ramadan by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal as they busily prepare for the celebrations of the next day. Muslim families tidy up their houses while assembling a delicious line-up of dishes to be eaten by guests and family during the celebrations of Aidilfitri.
On Raya morning, it’s normal to see families in thematic outfits, usually with specific colour schemes that each family member adorns. Muslim families are all smiles, as they finally get to spend time with their families, near or far. The once a year gathering ignites excitement for the traditions that are carried out. While each family will have their own yearly routines, a widespread practice is the giving of money packets called “Duit Raya”. This is when older members of a family give the youth cash wrapped in colourful envelopes similar to ‘Angpaus’ in Chinese culture. However, the main difference is that ‘Duit Raya’ can be given by any adult, regardless of their marital status. These packets are typically given out at open houses where families get together and celebrate the occasion.
As 2024’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri just passed, we talked to Sunway students to learn a little bit more about their experience of celebrations this year.
Family Time is the Best Time
How was your Ramadan experience this year? Was there anything that made it different from your past experiences?
It was super fun! Ramadan went by so fast this year compared to the previous year, I didn’t realise I had already been fasting for one month by the end of it. Compared to last year, I went back to my hometown almost every weekend. It was fun to sit together and have iftar with my whole family, which I didn’t get to do much of last year.
How were your preparations for the Hari Raya celebrations this year? Did it go smoothly?
It did go smoothly, unlike the past two years. Raya fell exactly on the 10th of April, so all our preparation was done in time. Most of my clothes were purchased online, as I wanted to avoid the big crowds. Luckily, all of them arrived on time for the special day!
What was the most memorable part of Hari Raya this year? Did you enjoy your celebration this year?
Mainly, I got to see some of the family members that I hadn’t seen in years. Other than that, everything was just your typical Raya experience. It was a cycle of eating, doing the ‘Salam Raya’ and getting Duit Raya that is staple in every Aidilfitri.
New Experiences and A New Feeling
How was your Ramadan experience this year? Was there anything that made it different from your past experiences?
Ramadan for me every year is the same, as it’s the time to spend with family and in prayer (and food of course). This year however, it went by very quickly. I am not sure if it was because of my internship, but I almost didn’t even realise it was over! The internship definitely made it different from past experiences, as previously it was either during my university classes or my part-time job last year which wasn’t as many hours as my internship. It was definitely more tiring, which also meant that I didn’t have much time to do much else.
How were your preparations for the Hari Raya celebrations this year? Did it go smoothly?
My family doesn’t do much for Hari Raya in terms of celebrations, but we tend to host our open house the month after. Hence, our preparations were mostly preparing our outfits, where to go, our henna and more. Overall, it went smoothly and it was fun!
What was the most memorable part of Hari Raya this year? Did you enjoy your celebration this year?
Every year the memorable part for me is the night before the night of Eid. Playing with fireworks and eating with our family and friends was as memorable as always. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though it feels very different, in a good way, from every other day of the year. I can’t wait until next year’s celebration too!
A Pavlova Maker’s Exhausting Experience
How was your Ramadan experience this year? Was there anything that made it different from your past experiences?
This year’s Ramadan is actually much more special compared to the previous year as I got to spend my first day of celebrations with my close relatives in Subang!
How were your preparations for the Hari Raya celebrations this year? Did it go smoothly?
The preparations thankfully went smoothly, as we kept making sure the food and drinks prepared were enough for the guests. However, the preparations for the celebration was exhausting. In the end, even my parents were considering stopping hosting open houses as we didn’t get enough sleep from all the cleaning and cooking. In light of that, the celebrations this year seem like a good closure to this tradition of ours.
What was the most memorable part of Hari Raya this year? Did you enjoy your celebration this year?
The most memorable part of Hari Raya this year was the mini pavlovas I made for the guests. I was over the moon to have received many nice compliments on them as it was my first time baking them. I was able to have fun during Raya because I seem to always enjoy my time with my family and friends.
A Short but Sweet Recount
How was your Ramadan experience this year? Was there anything that made it different from your past experiences?
The fasting experience this year was much more enjoyable than the year before, as more of my family members gathered together during the Ramadan season.
How were your preparations for the Hari Raya celebrations this year? Did it go smoothly?
Preparations this year went smoothly. It was much better than last year, as we did not need to rush our arrangements.
What was the most memorable part of Hari Raya this year? Did you enjoy your celebration this year?
The most memorable part of Raya this year was visiting my mother’s hometown. It has been a long time since we had gone there; hence, I was happy that I could enjoy the atmosphere of her hometown once again.
The Soul Searcher’s Aidilfitri
How was your Ramadan experience this year? Was there anything that made it different from your past experiences?
This year’s Ramadan was different, as it somehow meant more than my past ones. The reason why is because this year I did more soul-searching and really used this holy month to connect with my religion and spirituality a lot more.
How were your preparations for the Hari Raya celebrations this year? Did it go smoothly?
Raya preparations were great! We had an open house on the first day of Eid as we usually do and, it went very smoothly according to plan. We had loads of help, which actually made the process less stressful and more enjoyable.
What was the most memorable part of Hari Raya this year? Did you enjoy your celebration this year?
The most memorable part of Raya this year was probably welcoming the boys back from Eid prayers in the morning. Most importantly being able to wish my grandfather, as I hope and pray that this will not be his last Eid with us, hence it made it memorable and emotional. We, as a family, really enjoyed this year’s Eid celebration; it was filled with laughter and lots of food and most importantly all of my family being together!
All in all, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a big aspect of the Islamic culture that is tied to fond memories from Muslims across the globe, in Malaysia and even students in Sunway. The celebrations are the best time to catch up with family and friends while deeply bonding through the traditions of Eid. We at Echo would like to wish those reading a belated Selamat Hari Raya, and we hope that your Hari Raya Aidilfitri was a blast this year!
Written By: Trezshur
Edited By: Ruby
