Hari Raya Aidilfitri – The Celebration of Togetherness

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, also known as Eid al-Fitr, is a major festival in the Islamic calendar that marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. It is a day of great significance for Muslims all around the world. Hari Raya Aidilfitri falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month in the Islamic calendar. The exact date of this celebration varies annually as it follows the lunar calendar. The celebration is a time for families and friends to gather together, reflect on the blessings of God, and renew their spiritual ties with each other and with God.

It is believed that the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri started as early as the 7th century in Mecca, when Prophet Muhammad migrated from Mecca to Medina and declared Ramadan as the holy month of fasting. Since then, Muslims all around the world have celebrated this festival with great joy and enthusiasm.

The festival is often known as ‘Hari Raya Puasa’ which means ‘Day of Celebration after Fasting’. It is also called ‘Hari Lebaran’ in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei, and ‘Şeker Bayramı’ in Turkey. No matter what it is called, the essence of this celebration remains the same – it is a day to rejoice and spread love, kindness, and forgiveness.

The preparations for Hari Raya Aidilfitri begin in the month of Ramadan as Muslims complete their daily rituals of fasting, prayers, and recitation of the Quran. After a month of self-discipline, self-reflection, and spiritual devotion, Muslims look forward to the festival with much anticipation. They start by cleaning their houses and preparing delicious traditional delicacies such as ketupat, rendang, satay, and many more. The streets and markets are lit up with beautiful lights and decorations, and shopping for new clothes and gifts is a must!

On the day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims wake up early, perform the Eid prayer, and then visit the mosque to listen to sermons on being grateful to God and seeking His forgiveness. They then proceed to visit their elders and family members to ask for forgiveness and seek blessings. This tradition of seeking forgiveness is known as ‘maaf zahir dan batin’ which translates to ‘seeking forgiveness for inner and outer transgressions’.

Another highlight of the day is the traditional custom of giving and receiving ‘duit raya’ or ‘green packets’, which are usually filled with money and are given to children and unmarried individuals as a sign of blessing and good fortune. This is a time when children also put on their best clothes and go out in the neighborhood to seek blessings from elders.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is indeed a celebration of togetherness and unity. During this festival, people of all races and religions are welcomed into Muslim homes to share the joy and blessings of the day. It is a time to forget past differences and come together to celebrate the spirit of humanity. It is a time to reflect on the true meaning of Islam, which preaches love, peace, and harmony.

In today’s modern world, where technology has created a distance between loved ones, the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a much-needed reminder to strengthen family ties, renew friendships, and spread love and kindness. It is a time to leave behind all worldly worries, and come together to celebrate the bounties of God.

As the world celebrates this beautiful festival, let us all remember the importance of coming together as one world community, united in love and kindness. Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all our Muslim brothers and sisters!

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a celebration of togetherness and unity among all races and religions.

The festival marks the end of a month of fasting and self-discipline during Ramadan.

Muslims prepare for this celebration by cleaning, decorating, and shopping for new clothes and gifts.

On the day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims attend Eid prayers, seek forgiveness from elders, and exchange ‘green packets’ with children.

The festival is also a time for reflecting on the true meaning of Islam – love, peace, and harmony.

In today’s modern world, the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a reminder to strengthen family ties and spread love and kindness.

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