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Hari Raya Puasa, commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Malaysia falls on the 1st of Syawal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar, marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. It is a day of victory for Muslims, having successfully completed the fast.
In Malay the word Hari Raya means �A Great Day� and Puasa derives from Sanskrit meaning �fasting or abstention�. So, Hari Raya Puasa literally means �great day of fasting� or in actual terms �the festival marking the end of a period of fasting�.
In Malaysia, the period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan. |
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One of the tenets of Islam is to fast during the month of Ramadan, ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar. This is a compulsory fast where faithful Muslims abstain from eating, drinking, smoking and other sensual pleasures from dawn to dusk. The virtuous aspects of life are emphasised during the month of Ramadan, a holy month.
Hari Raya Puasa officially begins at the sighting of the moon on the day before the next month on the Muslim calendar, Syawal. It's ascertained by the religious authorities by the sighting of the moon from several vantage points in Malaysia. Hari Raya Puasa is announced by the Keeper of the Royal Seal over all forms of media.
Aidilfitri is celebrated for the whole month of Syawal, but in Malaysia, only the first two days are observed as public holidays. It is widely common however, to see Muslims taking the first week off from work.
The first moon of the month of Syawal is sighted by religious elders in the late evening from several vantage points in Malaysia. The festival actually begins the following day by congregating at mosques for morning prayers. Special prayers are held in mosque throughout the country and families visit graves of family members to offer prayers.
Open house is held by His Majesty, the King of Malaysia, government leaders and also by almost all Muslims.
Everyone is usually decked out in their traditional best to mark the special occasion. Men are usually dressed in Baju Melayu, while the Baju Kurung, the quintessential Malay attire for females. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated with the lighting of oil lamps to welcome the angels which is believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festival. The celebration lasts for a month. The usual greeting (that is uttered with the salam) during Aidilfitri is �Selamat Hari Raya�, which means �Wishing you a joyous Hari Raya�.
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. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. Some favorite dishes that can be found in Muslim homes on this special occasion are ketupat, lontong, nasi padang and beef rendang. Overall, Hari Raya Puasa is a joyous occasion for the Muslims and non-Muslims in Malaysia. This festival marks an important time for Muslims to unite as a family in the exchange of love, blessings and forgiveness. |
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