The celebration of Eid Al-Fitr culminates a month of fasting where in the faithful have spent their time praying and beseeching God for forgiveness and mercy. In our country , Eid is also commenly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means Day of Celebration. Muslims in Malaysia celebrate Eid like other Muslims throughout the world.It is the biggest holiday in Malaysia and is the most awaited one .Many banks ,government and private offices will be close on this day, which at many time lasts until a week.
Same like my hometown at Ipoh , the night before Eid will be filled with the takbir which is held in the mosques or musollas.In many parts at Ipoh ,oil lamps or pelita will be lit up in house compounds.Many children playing fireworks and they looks so happy.
First day of Syawal we went to our grandparents home at Batu Gajah and all of our relatives would be there.So , from there we will get to know each other especially our sibling (including me).But some of them would not able to come because those years were not their turn to return but their spouse hometown.We wear traditional Malay costumes on the Eid.The dress for men is called Baju Melayu which is worn together with songket while the women’s are known as baju kurung and baju kebaya . Special dishes like ketupat a type of rice cake , lemang and other Malay delicacies are served during that day .
Once the prayer is completed , we visit grandmother , uncle and anty’s grave .During this visit , we clean the grave , perform the recital of the Ya-Seen .I hope that they will blessed by Allah and they are spared from the punishment in the afterlife . After that when we went back to grandparent’s home , we seek forgiveness from each others forgetting past sins and renewing our relationship with others . The most common greeting is “Maaf Zahir dan Batin” and simply meaning “I seek forgiveness from my heart and soul".
The rest of the day we spent visiting relatives and serving visitors. Eidul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for this is the day were adults are extra generous.Children will be given token sums of money,also known as ‘duit raya’ from their parents or elders .So,my parent give duit raya to each children. I also get a lot of duit raya from my parent,aunty,auncle and my grandfather.
At night ,the village will be filled with oil lamps and many children play fireworks.I think children will feel the celebration of Eid when they get duit raya and able to play fireworks.That why they look so happy when play fireworks.Although holiday is too short , but I thankful to God because still give me opportunity to celebrate first syawal together my family.
