Eid-Ul-Fitr:

There are two festivals that are celebrated by Muslims

all over the world, Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha. Both
these festivals have different aspects as to why they
are celebrated. When talking about Eid-ul-fitr we must
first know why Muslims celebrate the day.
In the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the
Islamic calendar, Muslims from all over the world
observe fast from dawn to dusk. While fasting, not only
do they exclude themselves from eating and drinking,
they also restrict themselves from any immoral acts
and anger. Muslims consider this time as a month of
blessing and mercy as their holy scripture the Quran
was revealed during this month. Usually fasting for
thirty consecutive days may sound or feel tiring and
excruciating to many people, but for Muslims, these
thirty days of Ramadan are times of happiness and joy.
Each country has their own traditions and ways as to
how they spend the month of Ramadan. In some
countries people cook different traditional food, in
some countries people send gifts for their relatives and
friends before the Eid as part of their culture and many
more. Throughout the month, the doors of every
mosque stay open and welcomes fasting people and
serve them iftar which are prepared by volunteers.

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Just like how a kid waits with eagerness to open his
presents at the end of his birthday party, muslims
eagerly wait for the end of these thirty days of fasting
after which comes the day of Eid-Ul-Fitr. Eid for the
muslims is like a present from Allah (God) for being
obedient towards him and fasting for thirty days
straight without complaint.
It is no different when it comes to Malaysia, the day of
Eid is a very busy day for them. The day starts by
waking up early and asking Allah for HIS mercy. Then,
the women of the household starts preparing cultural
and traditional food very early in the morning. While
the men prepares themselves for the going to the
mosque.
Malaysian men dress themselves in their own
traditional attire called the “Baju Melayn” and the
women dresses up in “Baju Kurung” which is the
Malaysian traditional dress for the women. The men
then apply perfume and leave for the mosque with
their families to pray the prescribed prayer for Eid-Ul-
Fitr in congregation. When the prayer is over, they
then go on to visit the graves of their deceased family
members and make prayers for them. Afterwards they
proceed to visiting relatives and friends.

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Eid-Ul-Fitr in Malaysia is not celebrated for just a day
but an entire month. The essence of the day carries on
till the end of the month of Shawal, the tenth month of
the Islamic calendar. This is a good time for the
Malaysians to get along with their relatives and friends
who they didn’t get a chance to meet the entire year.
This festival gives them the opportunity to get together
and strengthen the bonds of family and friendship
between them.
As we all know, Malaysia is a multi-cultural country,
and certain traditions of Malaysia makes it all the more
appealing to people of different backgrounds. There is
an “open house” tradition in Malaysia, where during
the Eid day all households open their doors to people
of the society. Small decorated envelops of money are
kept in tables or shelves that are given or handed out
to the guests as a gesture of sadaqah or gift. The
thought or motive behind this approach shows how
welcoming and friendly Malaysians are to people of
different cultures ethnicity and nationalities. The core
idea is to get to know each other and share a good
meal and spend some quality time with people of the
same area.
However unfortunately, this year was quite different
than any other year. Due to the pandemic, all the

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mosques were closed down as per the order of the
government. Everyone was advised to stay in their
houses. It was tough to spending this festive day sitting
at home but the crisis we face now is much bigger.
Hopefully the world recovers from this global crisis
soon and next year we can celebrate this joyous day to
our hearts content.