All about Raya Aidilfitri

We are living in Malaysia,so why don't we get to know more about ourselves a little bit more and more of our religion.Since hari raya festive is celebrating,why don't we get to know what the celebration is all about?
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What is "Hari Raya"?

The most significant celebration for Muslims, it signifies the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon on the day, before the next month on the Muslim calendar, Syawal. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean 'day of celebration.'

Ramadan what does it mean to the Malays?
Ramadan is the name of the one-month fasting period when Muslims fast from dawn till sunset. During the period of fasting, apart from eating and drinking, Muslims are also forbidden from smoking and having sexual relations. Only the sick are excused from fasting during this month. Muslims are expected to avoid lying, breaking promise or cheating during the month of Ramadan. It is to remind them of the plight of the poor and to cleanse themselves by exercising abstinence and self-control. Even the young are taught to fast.

Why do they  celebrate?
Muslims starts the day by wearing new clothes and congregating in the mosques early in the morning to perform Hari Raya Puasa prayers followed by visiting the graves of the departed. The young will ask for forgiveness from their elders and have open house for relatives and friends to come to their house. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated, and lighting of oil lamps welcomes the angels which are believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festival. The celebration lasts for a month but most of the celebration is concentrated in the first three days Visiting Muslim homes on Hari Raya Puasa, you can expect to taste a wide variety of delicious spicy dishes. Some favorite dishes that can be found in Muslims homes on this special occasion are ketupat, lontong, nasi padang and beef rendang. The Muslims also give packets of money to kids when they go visiting. The packets are usually green in color and children often look forward to getting these money tokens on Hari Raya Puasa. Overall, Hari Raya Puasa is a joyous occasion for Muslims

What do they usually eat?

This is ayam percik as recomemded from Shannon at Bandar Bukit Jalil (in front of Jalil Damai Apartment) It’s a secret recipe from Johor!It is just RM2.50 per piece only.It's affordable and yummy as well!!3

and of course this kambing bakar!pictures courtesy from ParamKL

this is not a usual porridge,this is bubur lambuk where inside got vegetables in it and some sauce for the porridge served with ikan bilis,peanuts and spring onions.

and for special delicacy they have kuih raya where you can found only on raya.

Not only that,during hari raya,you will see a lot of hari raya songs playing everywhere.

During Hari Raya there is also a lot of open houses in friend's house and neighbours house.So this is the opportunity to go kunjung-mengujungi them.Not only that,the prime minsiter also have open house too such as:

The Prime Minister’s open house, Seri Perdana

Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will be holding an open house at his official residence at Seri Perdana, Putrajaya, on the first day of Aidilfitri (10th September) from 11.30am to 5pm. Sixteen buses will be provided to ferry passengers to this festive gathering from 10.30am to 6pm from four locations around KL. (Sek Men Alam Shah, Masjid Putra, Masjid Tuanku Zainal Abidin and Putrajaya Sentral


The Selangor State Hari Raya open house, I-City

                                                   YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim

Selangor Menteri Besar, YAB Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, with the State Executive Councillors will be having their own open house at I-City on the 10th of September from 3.00pm – 7.00pm. Don’t forget to bring your cameras along to capture the beautiful sights at the City of Digital Lights.

Sarawak Yang Dipertua Negeri Hari Raya open house, Astana


Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng of Sarawak will be having an open house at the Astana, Petra Jaya on the 10th and 11th of September, the first and second days of Raya. The Yang Dipertua Negeri will be welcoming dignitaries on the first day from 10am to 12.15pm and the public on the second day from 10am to 1pm. Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng of Sarawak will be having an open house at the Astana, Petra Jaya on the 10th and 11th of September, the first and second days of Raya. The Yang Dipertua Negeri will be welcoming dignitaries on the first day from 10am to 12.15pm and the public on the second day from 10am to 1pm.


Gerakan’s Hari Raya open house, Dewan Pulau Pinang, Menara PGRM


The open house is set on the 18th of September from 2pm till 5pm at the Dewan Pulau Pinang, Menara PGRM. Included in the festivities for the day are a cake-cutting ceremony and various traditional dances.


Perak’s Menteri Besar’s open house, Jalan Raja di-Hilir

People in Perak are cordially invited to Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir’s open house on the 10th of September at his official residence at Jalan Raja di-Hilir, from 3pm to 6.30pm.

The Petaling Jaya City Council’s open house, MBPJ Stadium

The general public has been invited to the PJ City Council’s Raya open house on the 24th of September at the MBPJ Stadium from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.

So to those who going back to kampung,remember to play this dong by Sudirman when you are going back...Sudirman-Balik Kampung

Balik kampung oh oh...
Ho ho... Balik kampung....

Lastly,I wishes all my Muslims friends Selamat Hari Raya and non-malaysian a Happy holidays!Drive safe there!^^