Penang mosque resumes century-old traditions

Communal service: Abdul Razak (second left) helping mosque committee members with preparations for the annual sacrificial ceremony on Hari Raya Haji. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star

GEORGE TOWN: For the first time in three years, a mosque in Jalan Perak will have some 150 volunteers helping out at its annual sacrificial ceremony for Hari Raya Haji.

Masjid Hashim Yahya chairman Abdul Razak Mansor said the volunteers signed up in the spirit of gotong-royong after being unable to carry out the ritual in the past few years.

“I have a feeling that this year’s celebration will be lively. The volunteers will help us to perform the ritual on the first day of Hari Raya,” he said, adding that the group comprised older villagers and youth.

Abdul Razak said this year, the mosque received 16 heads of cattle and 34 goats donated by well-wishers including the Penang Governor’s Charity Foundation.

The ritual on the first day of Hari Raya Haji starts at 10am after prayers. The annual sacrificial ceremony has been a tradition at the mosque for 158 years.

Abdul Razak said the mosque committee has made sure that all the equipment for the ceremony such as knives, iron hooks, containers, and gloves were properly cleaned.

“We will distribute the meat to the needy after asar prayers at about 5pm. We will also distribute 1,000 packs to the public and those performing prayers at the mosque,” he said.

Meanwhile, in Kampung Gelung Bubu in Kepala Batas, a group of villagers has planned a big Raya Haji feast on Saturday.

Team leader Normah Ibrahim, 65, said three cattle would be slaughtered and distributed to the needy in the village.

“The feast is from noon to 3pm. The gathering is also to foster togetherness among villagers,” she said.