he term Aidilfitri is also known as Eid ul Fitri in Arabic. Eid means a joyous and recurring event. Fitr denotes the breaking of the fasting period. The event is celebrated from the first day of the Islamic month of Syawal, and lasts for the entire month.
Muslims celebrate Eid ul Fitr to give thanks and celebrate their success in completing the month-long fasting period of Ramadan. The phrase hari raya is a Malay term meaning “a day of celebrations”.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is welcomed with much joy and goodwill. Although it is not a religious requirement, Muslims wear new clothes, visit relatives and friends and indulge in delicious food.
The day, however, starts with special prayers at the mosques or open spaces. These prayers are performed as a congregation, led by an imam. There is also a special sermon. After the morning prayers, Muslims return home to celebrate Hari Raya with their families.
An important custom in this part of the world is to seek forgiveness from one
another, especially from older members of the family. This custom is considered as a means of abandoning past animosity, and strengthening bonds between family members and friends. The Malay phrase maaf zahir batin is often heard during Hari Raya and it means “forgiveness from all physical and emotional wrongdoing”.
Custom of Hari Raya Aidilfitri
In Singapore, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated over one month. After the morning meal with the family, Muslims here would visit the homes of close relatives. The homes of the elderly members of the family would be visited first, followed by younger family members. It is not uncommon for Malays and Muslims here in Singapore to take almost one month to finish visiting the homes of their family members and friends.
Muslims are decked out in their best clothes. For the Malays, the traditional baju kurung remains the favourite outfit. It is not uncommon for family members to wear baju kurung of the same colour!
Sweet meats called kueh are served in all home