SINGAPORE: Parts of Geylang Road and Sims Avenue were awash with festive lights on Tuesday (Feb 25) as the Hari Raya light-up kicked off with a show at Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS).
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong launched the event, which also heralded the start of the annual Geylang Serai Ramadan bazaar.
A favourite among Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrants for festive shopping and culinary delights, the bazaar is set to feature about 500 stalls offering a range of goods and food options.
The bazaar will run from Feb 26 to March 30, from 10am until midnight except on the final day. Operating hours will be extended until 6am on March 31, the morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The tender for the bazaar in 2025 was awarded to S-Lite Event Support, said WGS, which is part of the People’s Association.
WGS said on Feb 25 that the bazaar will have four food and beverage zones to accommodate the expected crowd, so that visitors can comfortably have their meals, as well as explore the many stalls and goods on offer.
There will be daily live performances for the duration of the bazaar, including traditional music shows and comedy segments.
The event on Feb 25 was also attended by Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Masagos Zulkifli, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development, and South East District Mayor Fahmi Aliman, who said that the light display in 2025 spans over 2.6km.
“This year, the decorative designs will incorporate Raya delicacies, such as flower-shaped kueh, which symbolise unity, harmony and the joy of togetherness, while incorporating traditional elements such as ketupat, kampung houses and crescent moons,” Fahmi said.
More than 1,000 people attended the event, including community leaders, members of the public and MPs.
The 2025 light-up is themed #RayaBersama – or Raya Together – and the design was conceived by a committee of grassroots leaders from Geylang Serai, Kembangan-Chai Chee and Marine Parade.
Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who is lead adviser for WGS, said in a release by the cultural heritage hub that the bazaar is a place where Ramadan traditions meet contemporary Hari Raya preparations.
“It’s a vibrant hub where friendships, both old and new, flourish amidst a backdrop of generous giving, shared meals and heartfelt conversations,” he said.
“From abundant giving to shared feasts, #RayaBersama embodies our commitment to celebrating as one.” - The Straits Times/ANN
