Background

Also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Idil Fitri, Hari Raya Puasa is the Malay term for the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr. Eid is an Arabic word meaning “festivity”, while Fitr means “to break fast”. Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting, and is one of the most important ethnic-religious holidays in multi-cultural Singapore.

Muslims all over the world keep to a strict regime during the Muslim month of Ramadan, fasting from dawn to dusk as they reflect on past transgressions. They are also encouraged to abstain from sinful pleasures such as smoking and sexual activities. Muslims recite the takbir (an expression praising Allah) upon the conclusion of Ramadan and on the morning of Hari Raya Puasa which is held in mosques and suraus (smaller place of worship). It symbolises victory after a long and trying month – a victory earned by those who have tried to curb their human tendencies to sin and remind themselves constantly of Allah’s grace.

After the takbir, most go on to visit loved ones with well-wishes and seek forgiveness to start the new month on a clean slate. Many people also traditionally return to their hometown, generally from big metropolitan cities to rural areas. This is known as balik kampung – which literally translates to going back to one’s home town, to celebrate Hari Raya with family and friends. Celebrations abound as Muslims thank Allah for the help and strength given to them during Ramadan whilst looking forward to a new year of blessings, cleansed of their past sins.

You don’t have to be Malay or Muslim to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa.
 

Be a part of it

Visit your Malay friends! Hari Raya Puasa signifies ‘openness’ of both mind and heart, and in multi-racial Singapore, this is often expressed in the practice of inviting non-Muslim friends to share the Hari Raya festivities. As soon as you enter their house, wish your Malay friends “Selamat Hari Raya”, which means “Happy Eid” in Malay, and they will likely return the greeting with a smile on their faces and avail the wide variety of home-cooked traditional dishes to you. Perhaps it is the lontong (steamed rice in bamboo casing) that first gets your attention or the rendang (a curried meat dish made with many spices), or the satay (meat on sticks often dipped in a crushed peanut spicy sauce)…or the colorful assortment of Malay kuih…

Take a walk down Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai, known for their impressive decorations and street bazaars. Not only will you get a taste of traditional Malay food, you might also want to check out the shopping options while you can!

Get dressed in your bajus! The sight of Malays wearing intricate traditional attire during the Malay celebrations in Singapore depicts the amazing diversity of cultures in Singapore. Malay men wear the baju melayu while the Malay women wear the baju kurung or baju kebaya. These famous traditional Malay costumes are often embroidered and accompanied by shiny accessories such as brooches. Depending on your budget, you can get ready-made ones from as cheap as SGD20+ or go with the high-end, custom-made ones that go for more than SGD500.