Hari Raya Puasa Hari Raya Aidilfitri Hari Raya

Hari Raya Puasa “Hari Raya Aidilfitri”

Hari Raya Puasa § Hari Raya means celebration. § Puasa means fast. § Hari Raya Puasa marks the culmination of Ramadhan, the holy month of fasting. § Hari Raya Puasa falls on the 1 st of Syawal, which marks the end of Ramadhan and to celebrate the success in carrying out the

Muslim Months § Muharram – 1 st month § 1 st Muharram-New Year § Safar § Rabiulawal § Rabiulakhir § Jamadilawal § Jamadilakhir § § § Rejab – 6 th month Syaaban Ramadhan Syawal Zulkaedah Zulhijjah

Ramadhan § 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.

Iftar § Breaking of fast. Carried out at home, mosque or restaurants. § Normally the fast is broken by consuming Arabic dates, in accordance with the Prophet Muhammad’s practice.

Iftar At workplace At home At mosque In restaurant

Zakat § 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.

Decorations § In Singapore, areas like Geylang and Kampong Glam will be decorated by extensive and elaborate lightings. § The Hari Raya Bazaar will also be held.

Hari Raya Puasa Celebrations § Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated for the whole month of Ramadhan. In Singapore, the first day is observed as public holiday. § Urbanites make their annual pilgrimage to their hometowns (this is popularly referred to as balik kampung), to be with parents, relatives and old friends.

Hari Raya Greetings § Hari Raya Cards are normally sent out to relatives and friends to wish them on this special occasion. However, as now technology advances, the e greeting card or sms greetings are getting popular.

Kuih Raya § The womenfolk will be busy preparing kuih raya; cookies and delicacies for guests who come to their house. § Some may choose to buy from shops instead.

Decorating the homes § In Malaysia, homes are brightly decorated with oil lamps or pelita. § In Singapore the use of rice lights are popular.

The first day § 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 women are dressed in Baju Kurung, the quintessential Malay attire.

Prayers

§ After prayers, 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. § Ketupat, rendang and lodeh is usually served.

Forgive and forget § 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”.

Seeking forgiveness

Duit 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.

Visiting § The celebration continues throughout the month of Syawal, with visiting relatives and friends. § The younger generation will get to know their relatives and in the process strengthen the bonding between relatives and friends.

The End… Thank you!