Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Experiencing Hari Raya Aidil Fitri morning


Today is 1 Syawal 1429H. Today is also Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, first day. I was up by 610 am and amazingly, by 750am, I was already at the Mujahideen Mosque in Damansara Utama for the Hari Raya Aidil Fitri ritual.

Right: Hari Raya Aidil Fitri prayers as Mujahideen Mosque

For the longest time, I have been doing this ritual. As far back as four years old, Abah took me to the mosque. Then it was Muo Jamek' Mosque. Its been almost twenty years since I offered Hari Raya prayers in the mosque. My Atuk Tina, Zaharah Mohd. Yunos passed away in June 1989. Since then, we have not been to Muo for first day Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Being early, I managed to get a good spot. It is important for the duration of at least 1 1/4 hours in the mosque.

The Imam reminded the congregation to preserve the faith as this is the Muslims' strongest weapon to defend themselves against all the challenges in the dynamic world. After the prayer and traditional sermon, the congregation caught up which each other, asking for forgiveness in the wake of a typical Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, as the spirit to strengthen brotherhood as neighbours and friends.

Right: Abah with Hj Rahmat

Left: Abah chatting up with Tan Sri Azman

Then back home, we asked forgiveness from each other and offer our sincere Hari Raya Aidil Fitri wishes, with love. A usual morning is never complete without the traditional breakfast. Again, like as far back as I can remember, we have ketupat with sayur masak lodeh, sambal sotong, sambal kacang and three types of rendang - beef meat, beef liver and chicken.


And the kids, they get the traditional duit raya. Its a practice the Malays have been doing ever since Abah could remember. It is something to bring cheer to the people who finds the most joy during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri; the children.

Right: Just about to eat, after a month of skipping breakfast

For this year's Hari Raya Aidil Fitri album:

Left: Our family in blue










To all the Muslims in the cybersphere;

Happy Eid Mubarak.

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