Ramadan & Hari Raya

Ramadan and Hari Raya Malaysia is a Muslim country. Every year the Muslims celebrate the Ramadan, the month of fasting. Muslims are not allowed to eat from sunrise to sunset. Ramadan falls under the ninth month of Islamic calendar. The month lasts 29-30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in the hadiths.

Ramadan is obligatory for adult Muslims, except for those who are suffering from an illness, travelling, elderly, pregnant, and diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding. According to the Quran, fasting was also obligatory for prior nations, and is a way to attain taqwa, fear of God. God proclaimed to Muhammad that fasting for His sake was not a new innovation in monotheism, but rather an obligation practiced by those truly devoted to the oneness of God.

The last day of the Ramadan is called Hari Raya and it's a great day to celebrate this important day for the Muslims. Hari Raya Aidilfitri was originated by the Islamic prophet Muhammad. It is observed on the first of the month of Shawwal at the end of the month of Ramadan. For Muslims, the festival is occasions for showing gratitude to God and remembering Him.

The night before Aidilfitri is filled with the sounds of many muezzin chanting the takbir in the mosques. In many parts Malaysia, especially in the rural areas, pelita(oil lamp) are lit up and placed outside and around homes. Traditional dishes such asketupat, rendang, lemang and more Malay foods are served during this day. It is common to greet people with "Salam Aidilfitri" or "Selamat Hari Raya" which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "maafzahirdanbatin", which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)".

During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims wear a traditional cultural cloting which known as the BajuMelayu, shirt worn with a sarong known as kainsamping or songket and a headwear called songkok. For women, they wear BajuKurung or BajuKebaya. Although bajukuring is the name for the attire for both male and female, In Malaysia, female dress is referred to as bajukurung while the male dress is referred to as bajumelayu.