Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri







Sebagai permulaan, ingin saya mengucapkan "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri" kepada kesemua kawan kawan saya dan sahabat-handai yang mengenali diri saya. Dengan ucapan, "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Maaf Zahir dan Batin".



Firstly, I wished my friends and to those buddies of mine who know me a "Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri".



Hari Raya Aidilfitri, also known as Hari Raya Puasa, is the most significant festival for Muslims as it marks the end of the fasting month. The day is most significant as it includes two of the five tenets of Islams: to fast during the month of Ramadhan and to pay zakat fitrah, or alms tax.



After a month of fasting, Muslims celebrate the first of Syawal, which is the 10th month of the Muslim calendar, with joyous enthusiasm. By the eve of Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims would have paid their alms tax which is then distributed to the poor.



Muslims usher in the day with morning prayers in mosques followed by visits to the graves of the departed. It is also the time for family reunions when people gather to forgive and forget past quarrels. It is every Muslim's religious duty to ask for pardon on this day and this is done in order of family seniority.



The festive mood is reflected by the lighting of oil lamps. The lamps are lighted from the 20th day of Ramadhan, the night when the Koran was sent down, right through the actual day of Hari Raya Puasa itself.



All mosques, homes, government and commercial buildings are decorated and brightly lit to mark the significant day. The celebrations last a month and although the first three days are celebrated on a grander scale, many Muslims have 'open houses' throughout the month to accommodate friends.



Most of my friends, Eddy Waga2, Liana, and a few others seemed to lost the Hari Raya mood or should I say, to them, this year's Hari Raya is somehow lacking the atmosphere. That I have to agree.



This year, Bazaar at Geylang seemed to be a little lifeless. Compared to last year, there were more people visiting the bazaar, choosing their new baju kurung for Hari Raya or shopping for kuih muih.



Or probably I was wrong. Those people may have went on the last day of the fasting month when all the prices for kuih-muih and other stuffs are slashed to half since they have to clear their stocks.



When I was the Bazaar, I kept on snapping pictures of those beautiful lights. Next year, they are going to close Geylang for renovation so there would not be any bazaar anymore.

This year, however, will be the last year.

The place were brightly lit up and nicely decorated.







Nevertheless, I am excited that Hari Raya Aidilfitri has finally come. I want to eat the ever delicious ketupat, sambal goreng and all the other good food that will be served in a few minutes time.



I am anticipating the outing that my classmates and I had organized for the coming week. We will be visiting one another's houses, eat delicious tarts and other delicacies and not forgetting, collecting 'duit raya' or should I say 'Hongbao'.



Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to Everyone, even to those non-muslims.



Signing Off,

Shah Rizal