Hari Raya Puasa is an important religious festival which marks the end of one month long of fasting for the Muslims. Preparation for this festival began one month ago when Muslims would start fasting. Shopping malls in Geylang Serai and bazaars are filled with people days ahead of Aidilfitri and created a distinctive festive atmosphere throughout Singapore.
A night before Aidilfitri, sounds of muezzin singing takbir (songs of praise for the God) were common in mosques in many parts of Queenstown. Oil lamps are lit up and placed outside and around the house. The Muslims would also prepare ketupat and lemang (glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo).
Night after Breaking Fast
Male Muslims would wear Baju Melayu, a shirt worn with a sarong known as songket and a headwear called songkok. Female Muslims would wear baju kurung, a sarong shirt made of batik cloth. The wife would kiss the hand of her husband and the husband would kiss his wife's forehead in turn seeking forgiveness from each other.
After praying, Muslims would then visit the graveyards of their loved ones. While cleaning the graves, they will recite Ya-seen (a chapter from the Qu'ran) and ask God to forgive the dead and the living for their sins.
Traditional Hari Raya Delicacies
For the rest of the day, Muslims would visit their relatives. Children would receive "duit raya" or celebration money from their parents.
Photos courtesy of Masjid Mujahidin
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1 comments:
nice posting....however, just a small correction...the muslims don't "sing" the takbir but they recite them as takbir is not a "song"...
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