Sabahans excited about first Raya do after two years

Roy used to celebrate with more than 100 of his extended family members in Ranau before Covid-19 struck.

KOTA KINABALU: Like many others, Roy Hadi Muharami is happy that he can celebrate Hari Raya with relatives back in his hometown this year.

Due to the inter-district travel ban for the past two years, Roy has not been able to return to Kampung Lingkudou, a village located in Ranau, about 100km from here.

He has lost contact in some ways with his extended family, with whom he shared many memorable Raya with in the years before Covid-19 cases escalated in early 2020.

While it is understandable the 41-year-old legal clerk is eager to reunite with his loved ones back home, another reason is his mother Adeline Juhim, who is turning 70 soon.

His father passed away in 2006 and therefore Hari Raya has always been an avenue to ensure his mother, who is not in the best of health, remained connected to her husband's relatives in Ranau.

“It’s been two years since my mother last met with my father's big family back in Ranau, so this Raya is an opportune time for her to catch up with them,” Roy said.

He is also keen that his mother enjoy the good company of their relatives after he, his mother and three other siblings contracted Covid-19 last February.

“Thankfully, we have all recovered but my heart still aches thinking back how my mother suffered for nearly two weeks with the virus. Being with our family again will hopefully cheer her up,” he said.

He said they used to usher in Raya with more than 100 of his extended family members in the years before Covid-19 struck.

“It will be a smaller affair this time, as only about 70 of us will gather, but our family members from as far as Labuan and Brunei are coming back so it will not be any less meaningful,” said Roy, a father of one.

For Rusdeh Arifin, the 54-year-old said this Raya will be more than a special occasion as he will gather with his extended family once again in Sabah’s Keningau district.

“We not only missed out on celebrating Raya together but also Christmas for the past two years. This will be like reconnecting with long-lost family so we are really looking forward to it,” he said.

Although everyone is excited about having a good time, Rusdeh said they will not take safety for granted despite the country shifting to the endemic phase of Covid-19.

“This is the first big festivity we can all be together since 2019 but we will still need to take precautions like wearing face masks so we all can celebrate Raya safely,” he said.