Abhiraami Elavarasan, 11
In A few days, Muslims in Malaysia and around the world will celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri after a month of fasting during Ramadan. Many Muslim families have been busy with preparations to ensure everything is ready for the big day.
One of the most exciting parts of Hari Raya is balik kampung. Many people travel back to their hometowns to celebrate the festive occasion with their loved ones.
Siti Aishah Jalil, 12Starting today, major highways will be filled with cars as families eagerly travel home for the celebrations. It is a time to reconnect with parents, grandparents, relatives and friends.
During Hari Raya, houses are cleaned and decorated with ketupat-shaped ornaments and twinkling lights. Traditional outfits like baju Melayu and baju kurung are chosen, often in matching colours for the whole family.
In the kitchen, delicious food will be prepared. Dishes like rendang, ketupat, lemang and serunding will be enjoyed during the celebrations. Families also bake traditional treats such as kuih bangkit, dodol and kuih semprit.
As we prepare for Hari Raya, let us not forget the true meaning of this celebration – gratitude, forgiveness and togetherness. Many will take this opportunity to seek forgiveness from parents, elders and friends by saying, “Maaf zahir dan batin”.
Here’s wishing all our Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!
Starchild received an overwhelming response from readers on the topic, Hari Raya. Here’s what our young readers had to say.
“Hari Raya is my favourite celebration! In the morning, my family and I wear our new baju Raya and go to the mosque for prayers. After that, we visit my grandparents and eat delicious food like ketupat and rendang. I love getting duit raya from my elders and playing with my cousins. It is a happy and special time for everyone,” says Kaira Anne Isitor, 10.
Kaira Anne Isitor, 10“During Hari Raya, my family is planning to have an open house. We greet everyone ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ and enjoy spending time together. I love playing with my cousins and meeting my school friends when they come to my house. It is a time to share happiness and strengthen friendships,” writes Siti Aishah Jalil, 12.
“On Hari Raya, I will accompany my mother to visit her childhood friend, Aunty Zana. Every year, without fail, we go to her house, and it always feels like home. Her mother, whom I call Nenek, always pampers me and gives me duit raya in a cute little packet! My favourite Hari Raya dish is ketupat with peanut sauce, but Aunty Zana’s rendang is the best – I can never stop eating it!” says Abhiraami Elavarasan, 11.
Michelle Tan Mei Kuan, nine, writes, “Ramadan bazaars are filled with so many delicious food choices. There are stalls selling everything from fried noodles to BBQ chicken wings, grilled fish, murtabak and a variety of kuih. My father takes me there to buy lemang and beef rendang. Everything looks and smells amazing! Besides food, many bazaars sell clothes and toys, making it a fun and exciting place to visit.”
Michelle Tan Mei Kuan, 9
“Hari Raya is a fun and special time for Muslims after a whole month of fasting. It must be really hard because Malaysia is so hot! I always see so much yummy food at the Ramadan bazaar, and it smells amazing.
Lim Sheng Hao, 12“Sometimes my mother’s friends invite us to their open house. It is a big celebration where lots of people come over to eat, chat and have fun. There’s always delicious food, and sometimes we even get to play with fireworks! The food served at an open house party can be very appetising,” says Lim Sheng Hao, 12.
ITEM: Easter is coming up in April, and many Christians will be celebrating this special day. Do you love decorating eggs, eating chocolate bunnies, or going on Easter egg hunts? Maybe you enjoy spending time with family or learning about the meaning of Easter.
Write a letter telling us how you celebrate Easter or what you love most about this festive occasion. And don’t forget to send in a colourful Easter drawing – perhaps a cute bunny, beautifully decorated eggs, or a cheerful spring scene!
Email your contributions to lifestyle@thestar.com.my by April 8.
Please put “STARCHILD: Easter” in the subject line of your email. Scanned drawings should be in JPEG format, with a resolution of 200dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address. Instead of handwritten letters, please type out your letters.
