The Muslim community celebrates Eid ul-Fitr annually whereby it is often called Hari Raya Aidilfitri or also known as Hari Raya Puasa in Malaysia to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.
| Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 June | Wednesday | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | National |
| 6 June | Thursday | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | National |
Hari Raya Aidilfitri or also commonly known as Hari Raya Puasa in Malaysia is a time of feasts, homecoming, forgiveness, contemplation and reconciliation. The celebration concludes the month of Ramadan and is regarded as a festivity of gratitude to God commemorated with families, friends as well as loved ones.
The background of Eid begins with fasting during the month of Ramadan which is one of the few significant pillars of Islam. During this pronounced period, Muslims will engage in 30-day fasting rites lasting from dawn to sunset whereby it is to abstain from eating, drinking and indulging in any form of conduct that nullifies the fast according to Islamic beliefs.
Following the month of Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a celebratory occasion as a mark of victory. The date of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is determined according to the Hijrah (Islamic) Calendar. Annually, the celebration falls on the 10th month of the Hijrah Calendar on the month of Syawal and as the Hijrah Calendar is a lunar calendar, the exact dates on which Hari Raya Aidilfitri vary from year to year.
The celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a season that offers a multitude of food selection similar to other festive celebrations.
A significant dish during the celebration includes Ketupat that is served together with Rendang whereby it is crafted from a combination of coconut milk and Malay spices. Rendang can be made with beef, chicken or shells. Other tasty delicacies that are common during Hari Raya Aidilfitri are Lemang (glutinous rice cooked in Bamboo tubes), Serunding and curry chicken.
Prayers will be performed at many mosques on the morning of the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Forgiveness will be sought from parents followed by the customary routine of giving ‘duit raya’ or gifts of money in small packets like Chinese New Year Ang Pows. The first three days of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration will be reserved for catching up with family members. Open houses will later be held for many friends and neighbours of other races are also invited as the celebration lasts throughout 30 days.
Signifying triumph on self-discipline as well as resistance, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is appraised as a joyous celebration symbolising faith, refinement and rebirth. Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration highlights fellowship and reconciliation especially among families as well as friends. The message of “Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri Maaf Zahir dan Batin” is also frequently used during the celebration whereby it denotes a pleading wish for utmost forgiveness.
Malay families will dress in their new and finest clothes known as ‘baju Melayu’ for men and ‘baju Kurung’ or ‘Kebaya’ for women to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Small kerosene lamps are also widely noticeable in many Malay village homes during Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration. These lamps are regarded as lampu pelita in Malay and they were usually homemade back in the olden days. A more contemporary trend is to decorate the houses with colourful flickering lights.
This year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration falls on a Wednesday and each Malaysian state is provided with two days off on both Wednesday and Thursday. As Hari Raya Aidilfitri is widely celebrated in the country, it is predicted that many will take leave on the following Friday to enjoy a 5-day long of a weekend. Here are several travel destinations to pick from for this long weekend.
Explore Langkawi and dive into a profusion of sandy shores, rich jungle-cloaked valleys and bargain shopping. Officially known as “The Jewel of Kedah”, its rugged beauty is manifested in waterfalls, hot springs as well as forests parks offering an abundance of spas, seafood restaurants and beautiful beach lounges.
For a more enchanting island getaway, head over to the breath-taking city of Kota Kinabalu (KK) in Sabah. Surrounded by friendly locals, KK’s blossoming arts and music scene will sweep wanderers of their feet complimented with a culinary spectrum ranging from exquisite street food to exclusive high-end courses.
Offering an exquisite hidden attraction, Klebang boasts its own unique white sand dunes resulting from land reclamation activities several decades ago. Other than the sand dunes, Klebang is also famed for its beach, diversified food trucks and delightful coconut shakes.
Pahang’s Cameron Highlands is one of the most targeted travel destinations during the festive season of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Please bear in mind that traffic delays in Cameron Highlands could take up many hours during the festive season due to the popularity of the location. The highlands offer a collection of peaceful townships complimented with pleasant landscapes as well as a cool and breezy climate to escape from the hot Malaysian weather.
Travelling during the festive season of Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration commonly means horrendous traffic and long congestions. To avoid this, take a distinctive alternative by heading over to the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The capital seems almost like a zombie land as everyone heads back to their hometown. Consequently, making a trip to Kuala Lumpur during Hari Raya Aidilfitri in 2019 will be more convenient to discover all the attractions and beautiful landmarks offered in the capital such as Petronas Twin Towers and Bukit Bintang.
A common trend during each Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration is the massive traffic and long delays within many road networks in the country as thousands of people head back to their hometown for a balik kampung trip. Standstill traffic will take up many hours and all major transportation hubs including airports, railway stations, ferry services and primarily bus terminals will be packed.
It is advisable to plan out the journey and ensure to book travel tickets in advance as it will probably be sold out early during the festive season. Check out regular traffic updates via radio stations or TV broadcasts for a convenient journey. As delays during the festive seasons could take up many hours, it might be worth taking a neck pillow or a light blanket along. For trips on board bus, flights, trains and other public transportations, make sure to reserve some space for these necessities so that comfort can be achieved throughout long-haul journeys.
Head over to Easybook today to purchase travel tickets conveniently. Make sure to book travel tickets in advance during the festive season to avoid any distress. Look out for a variety of amazing Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration deals on Easybook by checking out the website and social media pages for updates or download Easybook’s mobile app to book tickets anywhere at any time!
