On the 10th of September, Muslims all over Malaysia celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri after a month-long fasting period in the month of Ramadhan. ‘Hari Raya’ literally translates into ‘celebration day’, an apt description to mark the end of the fasting month. For Muslims it also signifies triumph and renewal. The festival is celebrated all over the world on the first day of the month of Syawal in the Islamic calendar.

Although Aidilfitri lasts for a month, only the first two days are observed as public holidays in Malaysia. Many urbanites take this opportunity to visit their hometowns to be with relatives for the celebration. This brief migration is what Malaysians call balik kampung.

Festival of Lights
About a week before Aidilfitri, homes are lit with oil lamps known as pelita or sometimes electric lights. This display of lights can be seen in many homes as well as commercial areas in town. Kuala Lumpur transforms into a wondrous, city of lights illuminated with a colourful glow.

On the morning of Aidilfitri, it is customary for the Malays to wear traditional Malay attire – the men wear baju melayu, a traditional outfit that consists of a long-sleeved shirt and pants, worn with a handsome songket cloth and topped off with a suede songkok or traditional headwear. Ladies usually dress up in baju kurung, which is a longsleeved top and long ‘skirt’, which come in many stylish designs and hues.

There will be an Aidilfitri prayer in the morning in mosques and a visit to the graves of loved ones right after. Open house celebrations are also often held starting from the first day of Aidilfitri and many will go house-hopping, visiting family and friends from one home to another right up to night-time. A tradition that is similar to the Chinese tradition of angpow-giving is the distribution of duit raya or small packets of money to children.

Any celebration will not be complete without food and visitors are in for a feast at this time of the year. Whether you’re visiting someone’s home or dining out at a restaurant, a wide variety of local dishes are often served, which typically includes traditional fare of beef or chicken rendang (a spicy dish using coconut milk and other spices), ketupat (pressed rice) and lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes) along with other delectable dishes.

As night falls, the celebration continues with more merrymaking as children run around outside with sparklers in each hand. Hari Raya Aidilfitri is definitely the perfect time to experience Malaysia’s unique diversity and unity.