KUALA LUMPUR: Hari Raya left a lasting impression on several Muslim visitors from China for the warm hospitality they experienced.
Sisters Sun Jing, 58, and Sun Shuying, 66, from Taiyuan in Shanxi province, brought their 88-year-old mother An Wenlian along specifically for the celebration, landing on Friday.
“It’s my third time in Malaysia, but this time it feels different as the whole country seems in a festive mood,” said Sun Jing.
She first visited Malaysia last year during Ramadan to visit her daughter Lydia Liu, and was invited to a Malay friend’s home to break fast – her first in a Muslim household outside China.
“We couldn’t speak Malay so we communicated through my daughter. But they were incredibly warm and welcoming and I never felt like an outsider.
“Because of how they made me feel at home, I made Chinese dumplings for them to try,” she said, adding that this convinced her to return to celebrate Hari Raya this year.
For An, it was her first time leaving China.
“In China during Eid, we eat deep-fried pastries and visit relatives at their homes.
“Here, I don’t feel uneasy at all as many people speak Chinese, so there’s no language barrier. Everywhere we go, people are smiling,” she added.
For Sun Shuying, this is her second visit to Malaysia but first during Hari Raya.
“Walking through the malls and seeing all the decorations gave me a completely new sense of the celebration.
“I feel very safe here even at night. When I ask for directions, people don’t just point. They smile, explain carefully and often recommend places to visit and food to try. There is a personal touch,” she said
What captured her interest most was seeing the Malays, Chinese and Indians here celebrating with each other.
“Watching everyone enjoy together, and fireworks lighting up the sky, really adds to the atmosphere.
“I have fallen in love with cendol, and there are so many Malay kuih names I still can’t pronounce. But all are really tasty,” she added.
Chef Li Chen Long, 43, from Lanzhou, is experiencing Hari Raya from behind the stove of a busy halal restaurant in Kuala Lumpur where he has worked for just over two years.
On Hari Raya eve, he went out after work just to take in the scenes.
“It was very lively. There were people everywhere, children running around and fireworks in the sky. It reminded me a bit of New Year back home, just with different customs.
“In China, during our big festivals, we cook big, hearty meat dishes. Here, the food and cakes are more refined and nicely presented, though a bit sweet. I’m still getting used to that,” he said, adding that he enjoyed Malaysian staples like nasi lemak.
