Eid al-Fitr, often abbreviated to Eid, is a Muslim
holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
Around the world, there are many names to refer to this day, which is one of
the most important festival for Muslims. In Malay-speaking countries of
Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei Eid is often called (affectionately)
as Hari Raya (literally means “Big Day” or “Celebration Day”), Lebaran, Idul
Fitri, or Aidil Fitri.
When
is the Hari Raya in 2012 ?
Date of Hari Raya 2012 / Lebaran 2012
In 2012, Hari Raya AidilFitri / Idul Fitri / Lebaran
is likely to fall on Sunday, 19 August 2012. Please note Muslim festivals are
timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and thus this
Hari Raya date given is approximation.
Hari Raya Puasa is the biggest festival for Muslim
around the world, together with Hari Raya Haji / Qurban.
Hari Raya 2012 / Eid 2012 Cellebrations
The night before Idul Fitri is filled with the
sounds of many muezzin singing the takbir held in the mosques or mushollahs. In
many parts of Indonesia as well as Malaysia, especially in rural areas, pelita
or panjut or lampu colok (as known by Malay-Singaporeans) (oil lamps, similar
to tiki torches) are lit up and placed outside and around the house. Special
dishes like ketupat, dodol, lemang (a type of glutinous rice cake cooked in
bamboo) and other Indo-Malay (and in the case of Malaysia, also Nyonya)
delicacies are served during this day.
It is common to greet people with “Selamat Idul
Fitri” or “Salam Aidilfitri” (in Malaysia) which means “Happy Eid”. Muslims
also greet one another with “mohon maaf lahir dan batin” in Indonesia and “maaf
zahir dan batin” in Malaysia, which means “Forgive my physical and emotional
(wrongdoings)”, because Idul Fitri is not only for celebrations but a time for
atonement: to ask for forgiveness for sins which they may have committed but
was cleansed as a result of the fasting in the Muslim month of Ramadan.
Balik Kampung 2012 / Mudik 2012
One of the largest temporary human migrations
globally, is the prevailing custom of the Lebaran where workers, particularly
unskilled migrants labourers such as maids and construction labourers return to
one’s home town or city and ask forgiveness from ones’ parents, in-laws and
elders. This is known as mudik or pulang kampung in Indonesia or in Malaysian
balik kampung.
Hari Raya Idul Fitri / Lebaran 2012 in Indonesia
In Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim
population in the world, Eid is known as Hari Raya Idul Fitri (or more informally
as Lebaran). It is a national holiday, often last for as long as two weeks,
with the exact date determined by local lunar observation. Idul Fitri is
usually a public holiday for 2 days, another 2-3 days of company given
holidays, and about 5 days of forced-leave.
Aside from the day-off, in Indonesia Idul Fitri has
a legally mandated salary bonus for all employees, known as Tunjangan Hari Raya
as enforced by Indonesia’s Department of Labour, Employment and Society. The
mandated amount of this salary bonus differs by provinces.
For example, within Jakarta region the THR bonus
must be at least Rp 1 million but not less than one month’s full salary paid in
advance of Idul Fitri, in addition to the employee’s regular salary. Breaching
or withholding THR is a very serious labour law infraction and can be punished
severely, regardless of employer status or position.
Idul Fitri is the biggest holiday in Indonesia.
Business for clothes and festive necessities are having their best month during
the Ramadan / Puasa month with shopping malls and bazaars are filled with
people days ahead of Idul Fiti, causing a distinctive festive atmosphere
throughout the country and traffic mayhem. Many banks, government and private
offices are closed for the duration of the Idul festivities, known collectively
as the Lebaran.
During the Idul Fitri, the wealthier of the
non-Muslims often “escape” to local hotels, or commonly Singapore and
Australia, either to avoid not having domestic servants and drivers or simply
because that is the only time in the year they could have a holiday/break.
Singaporean, Malaysia and Indonesian hotels have
been particularly successful marketing lucrative Lebaran or Idul Fitri “escape
package”.
Hari Raya Puasa / Aidil Fitri 2012 in Malaysia
In Malaysia, Eid is more commonly known as Hari Raya
Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Idul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa. Puasa means “Fasting”,
basically refer to the fasting month (Ramadhan) preceding the Idul Fitri.
Fasting during the month of Ramadhan is compulsory
or wajib, whereby Muslims are required to abstain from satisfying their most
basic needs and urges, daily, between sunrise and sunset. It is one of the five
tenets of Islam; as is the paying of zakat (alms tax for the poor), which must
be tithed by the end of Ramadhan.
In Malaysia, the period of fasting ends when the new
moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan. The actual sighting
is conducted by state appointed religious officials at various vantage points
(usually at hilltops) throughout the country.
If the crescent is sighted, the following day is
then declared the first day of Aidilfitri, which is also the beginning of the
10th month of the Muslim calendar Syawal.
The Muslim community ushers in the first day of
Aidilfitri by congregating at mosques for morning prayers. Everyone is usually
decked out in their traditional best to mark the special occasion. Men are
usually dressed in Baju Melayu, while the Baju Kurung, the quintessential Malay
attire for females, is the prefered choice for the fairer sex.
Then it’s usually breakfast at home with the family,
followed by a visit to the cemetery where deceased loved ones are remembered;
graves are cleaned and cleared of overgrowth, and prayers are offered to Allah.
This is also a time to forgive and forget past
quarrels. Asking for pardon is done in order of seniority. The younger members
of a family approach their elders (parents, grandparents etc) to seek
forgiveness, to salam (Muslim equivalent of a handshake), then kiss the hands
of the older person as a sign of respect.
The usual greeting (that is uttered with the salam)
during Aidilfitri is “Selamat Hari Raya”, which means “Wishing you a joyous
Hari Raya”.
Children and old folks are given duit raya or gifts
of money, in small envelopes. In recent years, many givers have opted for the
Chinese practice of putting the money in ang pow packets; however instead of
the usual red, the packets are green in colour.
Although the first three days are celebrated on a
grander scale, many Muslims hold “open house” throughout the month, where
friends and neighbours of other races are invited to join in the celebrations.
Hari Raya Puasa 2012 in Singapore
In Singapore, the first day of the Hari Raya is
celebrated as a public holiday, where civil servants and private sector workers
alike are mostly not required to work.
The main greeting used by Muslims in Singapore is
“Selamat Hari Raya” which means “Happy Eid” in Malay. Another greeting is “Maaf
Zahir dan Batin” which translates loosely to “I seek forgiveness (from you)
physically and spiritually”, for Hari Raya is a time to reconcile and renew
relationships with others.
During the Muslim month of Ramadan leading up to
Hari Raya, it is mandatory for Muslims to fast from dawn to dusk. All Muslims except
the young, old or infirm must fast. Many Muslims also abstain from pleasures
such as smoking cigarettes and sexual activities during the daylight of the
fasting month.
Widely, markets, or ‘Ramadan bazaars’ are held in
many areas around the country, where all sorts of food and kuih — traditional
Malay delicacies — are sold for breaking fast or buka puasa. Hotels and
restaurants have also exploited this situation to offer exorbitant Ramadan
buffets.
The main attraction place to observe the Hari Raya and
the preparations prior to festival is best observed at Kampong Glam and Geylang
Serai, a bustling outdoor market and the Hari Raya Light-Up, as well as various
Mosque around Singapore. Hari Raya is peak arrival period for Singapore, thus
likely to prompt very low or non vacancy during this holiday period. So if you
are planning to visit Singapore during Hari Raya Puasa 2012, make sure to book
your hotel far in advance.
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri 2012 in Brunei
Brunei is a Muslim country near Indonesia and Malaysia.
As a Muslim country, Hari Raya is one of the most important holiday in Brunei.
The atmosphere can be felt since the holy month of
Ramadhan. This marks the beginning of the period of fasting – abstinence from
food, drink and other material comforts from dawn to dusk. During this month,
many places in Brunei bustle with activities as people set up stalls to sell
traditional cakes and pastries, fruits, notably around the National Stadium and
in Gadong. This could be the best time to check out local dishes and cakes at
minimal prices.
Hari Raya is a time for celebration after the end
the fasting month of Ramadhan. In the early part of the first day, prayers are
held at every mosque in the country. Family’s get together to seek forgiveness
from the elders and other loved ones. From the second day onwards, you will see
Bruneians decked-up in their traditional garb in dashing colors to visit
relatives and friends.
Special festive dishes are made especially for Hari
Raya including satay (beef, chicken or mutton kebabs), ketupat or lontong (rice
cakes in coconut or banana leaves), rendang (spicy marinated beef) and other
tantalising cuisines. His Majesty, the Sultan, opens the doors of the Istana
Nurul Iman to his people on this auspicious occasion. This provides the nation
and other visitors the opportunity to meet His Majesty and other members of the
Royal family, in order to wish them a Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Please allow me to offer my best greetings to you:
Selamat Hari Raya I’ Dul Fitri
Mohon Ma’af Lahir dan Batin…
