Celebrating Hari Raya

Fasting
During the Muslim month of Ramadan leading up to Hari Raya, it is mandatory for Muslims to fast from dawn to dusk. All Muslims except the young, old or infirm must fast. Muslims must also abstain from pleasures such as smoking cigarettes and sexual activities during the daylight of the fasting month.Widely, markets, or 'Ramadan bazaars' are held in many areas around the country, where all sorts of food and kuih — traditional Malay delicacies — are sold for breaking fast or buka puasa. Hotels and restaurants have also exploited this situation to offer exorbitant Ramadan buffets.

Preparation
On the Hari Raya, Muslims will recite the takbir, which is held in mosques and surau (smaller place of worship). In some communities, there will be congregations reciting the takbir from house to house.
In big cities and towns, shopping malls and commercial centres will hold big promotions and price discounts for festive shoppers as people purchase clothes and supplies. Decorations are hung in public areas and Hari Raya songs will be played in shopping complexes. The media, such as the television will host various programs in conjunction with the celebrations.

Many people also traditionally return to their hometown generally from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampung that is going back to one's home town to celebrate Hari Raya with family and friends. At many times, many of vehicles on the roads nationwide increased the number of car accidents, including deadly ones, occurring during the festive season. Road safety campaigns are arranged to overcome the accident’s problems.

Celebrating on Hari Raya

First day

In the first day, muslims go to mosque or surau to pray “solat sunat hari raya aidilfitri”. I’m also joining this common way. I got taking the chance to meet and greet each other. Once the prayer is done, it is also common for Muslims in Malaysia to visit the grave of their loved ones. I also do it. My family and I go to my grandfather’s grave. During this visit, we clean the grave and perform the recital of the Yasin. We hope he is happy there. We also hope blessed by God and he is spared from the punishment in the grave. Other family members will help in other chores such as decorating and cleaning up the house. The part of happiness one is many child will come from house to house to collect “Duit Raya”. They don’t want to eat any delicacies because they only want “Duit Raya”. So funny. But this group are always getting more “Duit Raya”. They will keep it in their account bank. Moreover, many people come to my house. They are my friends and my parent’s friends. My mum and I only prepared the delicacies altogether with water. Delicacies such as ketupat or rice cake and a meat cuisine called rendang are among the most famous cuisines that are served by my mum.


Second day
In the second day, my daddy got meat from his boss. My mum and I prepared meat soup, “nasi kurma” and “ayam masak merah”. So delicious. My family including my grandmother eating lunch together in this day. Because of raya is not finish yet, my mom prepared more quantity of this cooker. So we are invite more people to come to my house to eat it. Alhamdulillah we give “rezeki” to another people and hope with this practical will get good reply from god.

Third day
At second night of hari raya, my family and I went back to my Tok Wan and Wan house. We are here to visit them. As all we had known,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. Besides that, we are visiting another near “saudara”. At the same time, my sister collects more “Duit Raya”. She got a big smile.

Fourth day
For your information, in fourth day I come to Penang. At night my friends and I went to Selangor to visit their “saudara” there. We are 2 days here. I was very happy so much. I can know more people. At the same time, I can improve my social way. I can eat more types of delicacies.
Fifth day
In this day, i’m only think about my assignments. Mathematics is difficult subject. I got more work from this subject. I’m very tension. For your information, I will have more tests and quizzes after this holiday. So I must work hard and cover all topics before I do this tests and quizzes. This raya is very best but I have more to pay attention to my field that I have taken in the USM.