For Muslims, Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is a celebration of faith, a time for forgiveness and sharing. Prior to the celebration, Muslims fast for one whole month (known as the month of Ramadhan), abstaining from food and drink, for 12 straight hours a day to strengthen their spiritual resolve in resisting the temptations of the material world.
Hari Raya Puasa which literally translates as "The Big Day of the Fast", falls either on the 29th or 30th day of Ramadhan, depending on the sighting of the Syawal moon. This year 2007, Hari Raya Puasa was set on October 13 and 14. The sighting of the moon by religious leaders at strategic locations determines the day when the fasting ends and the celebration begins.
During Hari Raya Puasa, thousands of celebrants "balik kampung" (return to the village) to join in the feast with family and friends in a mood of thanksgiving. On the morning of the big day, after prayers, children and the younger generation will seek forgiveness from their elders. After all has been forgiven, it is time to put on new clothes; the males in baju melayu and songkok, the females in baju kurung, kebaya or kebarung.
In the spirit of fellowship, the Muslims will go visiting or host an "open house". The "open house" concept is a unique Malaysian practice which reflects the generous and hospitable nature of Malaysian folks. The concept is simple: when one race celebrates, all the other races are invited to join in the festivities because everyone is Malaysian anyway. So during Hari Raya, Muslim families receive various guests who come by to personally convey their best wishes to the celebrants in the spirit of sharing joy.
Now, for us who had been here in Malaysia for about 2 months and ~10 days, this means a "long" weekend is ahead of us. Since Hari Raya is a Saturday and a Sunday, Monday and Tuesday is no-work for dad. Most establishments, if not all, are closed on the first day of Raya. Prior this day, malls are filled with decorations and they go on sale as part of the occasion. We decided to just stay at home and take that long break, makapahinga naman.
Hari Raya Puasa which literally translates as "The Big Day of the Fast", falls either on the 29th or 30th day of Ramadhan, depending on the sighting of the Syawal moon. This year 2007, Hari Raya Puasa was set on October 13 and 14. The sighting of the moon by religious leaders at strategic locations determines the day when the fasting ends and the celebration begins.
During Hari Raya Puasa, thousands of celebrants "balik kampung" (return to the village) to join in the feast with family and friends in a mood of thanksgiving. On the morning of the big day, after prayers, children and the younger generation will seek forgiveness from their elders. After all has been forgiven, it is time to put on new clothes; the males in baju melayu and songkok, the females in baju kurung, kebaya or kebarung.
In the spirit of fellowship, the Muslims will go visiting or host an "open house". The "open house" concept is a unique Malaysian practice which reflects the generous and hospitable nature of Malaysian folks. The concept is simple: when one race celebrates, all the other races are invited to join in the festivities because everyone is Malaysian anyway. So during Hari Raya, Muslim families receive various guests who come by to personally convey their best wishes to the celebrants in the spirit of sharing joy.
Now, for us who had been here in Malaysia for about 2 months and ~10 days, this means a "long" weekend is ahead of us. Since Hari Raya is a Saturday and a Sunday, Monday and Tuesday is no-work for dad. Most establishments, if not all, are closed on the first day of Raya. Prior this day, malls are filled with decorations and they go on sale as part of the occasion. We decided to just stay at home and take that long break, makapahinga naman.
This is Nicole in front of a traditional Malay house, displayed or temporarily built on Jusco mall, Ipoh. I guess this is the counterpart of "Bahay Kubo" back home in Philippines.
On Sunday, malls opened up and there were cultural dances on the entertainment area of Jusco.
Nice costumes, lah!
Marrybrown Truly Malaysia
( am not sure if Truly Malaysia is part of the business name though LOL!)
Nicole likes it here in Marrybrown because of the swing/s we sit on while eating. It's like the counterpart of KFC here but I prefer KFC still. This day is the 2nd day of Raya, the 2 awaits as dad orders the bucket of chicken.
Fried chicken, french fries and a glass of strawberry cola ... what more could Nicole ask for? Dad dito ang camera... hehe
Restoran Marrybrown
Nicole misses Jollibee, buti na lang may McDo naman.
This is our simple way of celebrating Hari Raya, malling lang. Most of our Pinoy friends are back home in the Philippines to take advantage of the long break. Kami dito lang muna... Anyway, "Salam Aidil fitri" to all.
1 comment:
yum yum!!!!
Salam Aidil Fitri!!!
Ka-namit gid!
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