Starchild: Why Hari Raya is special for Malaysian children

Tamisha Ravi, 12

Over the past week, Muslims across Malaysia have been enjoying their Hari Raya celebrations with loved ones. Many people travelled back to their hometowns for balik kampung, reuniting with relatives they had not seen for a long time.

Mohd Kayne Ridwan, 10How did you celebrate Hari Raya? Did you visit your Muslim friends during their open house? We hope you enjoyed traditional dishes like ketupat, lemang, rendang and sweet treats such as kuih semperit and dodol.

While Hari Raya is a time for joyful celebrations, delicious food and cherished moments with family, it also carries a deeper meaning. It is a time to seek forgiveness, mend relationships and strengthen bonds with loved ones.

Many families practise the tradition of asking for forgiveness from parents, elders and friends, expressing sincere apologies for any past mistakes. This act of humility and reflection reinforces the spirit of unity, compassion and renewal, making Hari Raya not just a festive occasion, but also a time of personal and spiritual growth.

Here is the second batch of letters from Starchild readers on the topic, Hari Raya.

“I am a South Korean student and have been living in Malaysia for the past two years.

“Celebrating Hari Raya is a truly wonderful experience. My favourite dish is ketupat, which I first tried at my golf teacher’s house. It was so delicious, and the rice had a unique, chewy texture. It was already tasty on its own, but when dipped in peanut sauce, the flavours became even richer,” writes Lee Jian, 12.

Lee Jian, 12

“I come from Henan, China, and Hari Raya is new to me. After a month of fasting, families come together to celebrate. This year, I am excited to try ketupat for the first time! It will be fun to see everyone dressed in their beautiful baju Melayu and baju kurung. I have also learned that children receive duit raya after asking for forgiveness from their elders. I can’t wait to experience this joyous occasion,” writes Lyu Liang Fu, 10.

Lyu Liang Fu, 10

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 12, writes, “For Hari Raya, I had the opportunity to help decorate our classroom with colourful banners made of recycled Hari Raya packets. I learned from YouTube and other social media platforms how to make traditional Hari Raya crafts such as ketupat and lanterns. We had fun doing the decoration as a team. I wish everyone who celebrates this festival, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.”

Jayden Tan Li Sheng, 12Tamisha Ravi, 12, writes, “I made a Hari Raya card for my favourite teacher. Last year, my school let us wear our best traditional Malay outfits to celebrate the festive spirit. This year, the mall near my house was packed with families preparing for Hari Raya, shopping for new clothes, shoes, curtains and even furniture. I love walking around the mall, admiring the beautiful ‘kampung-style’ decorations and bright festive lights.”

Mohd Shawn Ridwan, 12, loves Hari Raya because of all the yummy food. “My mother makes ketupat and satay, and my grandma cooks her special rendang. We also have lots of cookies like pineapple tarts and kuih semperit. After a month of fasting, enjoying all these tasty dishes with my family makes Hari Raya extra special.”

Younger sibling Mohd Kayne Ridwan, 10, writes: “Hari Raya is not just about food and fun – it is also about being kind and forgiving. Before the celebrations, my family cleans our house and decorates it with beautiful lights. We also seek forgiveness from our parents and elders. It is a time to start fresh and be grateful for everything we have.”

ITEM: Earth Day is on April 22. It is a special day to remind us how important it is to take care of our planet. Did you know that even small actions can make a big difference?

Mohd Shawn Ridwan, 12Think about ways you can help – maybe by using less plastic, turning off the lights when not in use, or planting a tree. How do you keep the Earth clean and green?

Write to us and share your ideas! Don’t forget to send in a colourful drawing – maybe of a beautiful rainforest, a sparkling blue ocean, or a happy Earth smiling back at us!

Email your contributions to [e-mail] by April 14. Please put “STARCHILD: Earth Day” 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.