Friday, October 12, 2007

Selamat Hari Raya

Tomorrow Muslims around the world celebrate Hari Raya Aidil Fitri (or Eid ul-fitr). It is a joyous occasion for Muslims, as it signifies a personal triumph, a victory of self-restraint and abstinence, symbolising purification and renewal.

During the Muslim month of Ramadan, all muslims (except the young, very old and infirm) fast from Dawn to dusk, and abstain from everyday "pleasures". Hari Raya is a celebration for them marking the end of that month. The celebration officially begins at the sighting of the moon on the day before the next month on the Muslim calendar, Syawal. The festival actually begins the following day, ushered in by prayers at the mosque early in the morning, and a visit to the cemetery to pray for the departed souls of loved ones. Then, of course, comes the feast.

The ketupat is traditional Hari Raya fare and is often served with beef rendang (beef cooked with spices and coconut milk) and/or satay (grilled meat on a skewer). Other festive delicacies include lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), serunding (dessicated coconut fried with chilli) and curry chicken. Of course, tradtional malay cookies are also served.

Little D also joined in the Hari Raya celebration at her school.

^_^ Little D in her Baju Kurung

4 comments:

iml said...

I am very fortunate to have a malay family as neigbhours. We are invited for a traditional malay lunch every Hari Raya.

bp said...

So sweet, so adorable, D in her baju =)

NomadicMom said...

Was the picture taken at school or your house?? If school...looks so canggih for a school wor..But then in Singapore, everything also canggih one ler..

stay-at-home mum said...

NM
Picture was taken at home. What is canggih?

Thanks bp. She is quite vain!

Hi IML
Yes, I miss having malay neighbours. I remember the feast we used to have when we had malay neighbours, but that was some 20 years ago, and have since lost touch with them after we moved house.