My Sambutan Hari Ray Aidilfitri

This is more memorable as I am writing it in my blog and while working in CBS, we have incoperate lots of Hari Raya Aidilfitri activities, such as Card making, Poster about Bulan Puasa, ketupat making with the members of CBC Serasot. There are a few Muslim in Serasot and this year, we plan to do house visit. Some may wonder what is Hari Raya? it is the most significant celebration for Muslims, it signifies the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. The celebration is determined by sighting of the new moon on the day, before the next month on the Muslim calendar, Syawal. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean 'day of celebration.' And before comes the 'Hari Raya', our muslim friends goes through the month of Ramadan, which is one-month fasting period when Muslims fast from dawn till sunset. During the period of fasting, apart from eating and drinking, Muslims are also forbidden from smoking and having sexual relations. Only the sick are excused from fasting during this month. Muslims are expected to avoid lying, breaking promise or cheating during the month of Ramadan. It is to remind them of the plight of the poor and to cleanse themselves by exercising abstinence and self-control. Even the young are taught to fast. After Ramadan, our muslim friends starts the day by wearing new clothes and congregating in the mosques early in the morning to perform Hari Raya Puasa prayers followed by visiting the graves of the departed. The young will ask for forgiveness from their elders and have open house for relatives and friends to come to their house. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. Houses are thoroughly cleaned and decorated, and lighting of oil lamps welcomes the angels which are believed to be visiting the earth during the seven days preceding the festival. The celebration lasts for a month but most of the celebration is concentrated in the first three days Visiting Muslim homes on Hari Raya Puasa, you can expect to taste a wide variety of delicious spicy dishes. Some favorite dishes that can be found in Muslims homes on this special occasion are ketupat, lontong, nasi padang and beef rendang. Beef rendang is my favourite dish of all when I go for visiting. The parents/heads of the house 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. Overall, Hari Raya Puasa is a joyous occasion for our muslims friends.
When you go visiting to our muslims friend's house, you wouldn't miss the Raya songs which are some of my favourite by Sudirman and Anuar Zain as a kid. Here are some song you should hear to help you get into the Raya mood celebration:

Takbir Hari Raya(Ramai)

Selamat Hari Raya(Saloma)

Dendang Perantau(P.Ramlee)

Suasana Hari Raya(Sharifah Aini)

Seloka Hari Raya(Uji Rashid & Hail Amir)

Dari Jauh Ku Mohon Maaf(Sudirman)

Selamat Hari Raya(Ahmad Jais)

Bila Takbir Bergema(Rafeah Buang)

Cahaya AidilFitri(Black Dog Bone)

Selamat Hari Raya(Fazidah Joned)

Kepulangan Yang Di Nanti(Aman Shah)

Aidilfitri(Sanisah Huri)

Menjelang Hari Raya(D.J. Dave)

Selamat Berhari Raya(Rahimah Rahim)

Lenggang Mak Limah(Halil Chik)

Balik Kampung(Sudirman)

Satu Hari Di Hari Raya(M.Nasir)

Bergema Takbir Dihari Raya(4U2C)

Pulanglah(Aishah)

Setitis Cahaya Di Aidil Fitri(Aishah)

Ku Pohon Restu Ayah Dan Bonda(Al Jawahir)

Pulang Di Hari Raya(Asha Malik)

Selamat Hari Raya(Awie)

Bersama Di Hari Raya(Cenderawasih)