Malaysia-Muslims to celebrate Eid-al-Adha on November 17th.

Today, the ketupat casings can be bought in wet markets. Some stalls even sell cooked ketupat a day before the celebrations.

JANUR (Young Palm leave).

Preparing the ketupat started with the anyaman process when the janur were woven into casings. The casings were then filled with rice and boiled for a few hours.The brother & sister helping their parents process the janur to woven into ketupat casing.

Men, women, and children of the Muslim community are required to dress in their finest clothing to perform the Eid prayer.

All the above photos are from my 2009 collection.

Muslims all over the world are all set for the celebrations of the upcoming religious holiday of Eid-al-Adha and in Malaysia is on Wednesday November 17, 2010, which is also known as ‘The Celebration of SacrificeSacrifice'. The Greater Eid of Muslims, Eid-ul-Adha, marks the end of the Hajj, which the fifth pillar of Islam and the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.
The festivities of Eid-al-Adha take place on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the Islamic calendar. The date of celebrating Eid-al-Adha is approximately after 2 Months and 10 Days of Eid-ul-Fitr.
The essence of celebrating Eid-ul-Adha is to commemorating the trials of Prophet Ibrahim, his wife Hajra and his son Ismael. After the sacrificing act of Prophet Ibrahim, it has become a tradition to slaughter livestock and feed the poor to mark the occasion.
However, the sacrificed animals on Eid-ul-Adha have to meet certain age and quality standards or else the animal is considered an unacceptable sacrifice. It is the tradition of Eid-al-Adha to distribute meat among the needy and poor people.

Traditional Dress.

To-day I have decided to post a photo that I took on one of  the celebration in Kuching.   I took this while at a padang merdeka with some friends.  I shot with Olympus E-620 and happened to have the camera out at the right moment as I passed this people wearing Sarawak native traditional dress.

Beautiful traditional dress.........

Beautiful maiden with colourful traditional dress.

Melanau of Sarawak with their traditional dress.

Student wearing traditional dress during the performance in Kuching.

TYT Birthday Kuching in Sarawak.

Thousands of people from all walks of life in Padang Merdeka Kuching in Sarawak on the morning of October16 to witness the parade and rally to highlight the Yang di-Pertua Negeri's 89th birthday.

 

 

About 100 contingents drawn from government departments and agencies, associations, political parties, the army, uniform and non-uniform bodies, the private sector and ethnic groups  taking part in the event.

Military vehicle making march past....

The field performances and creative cultural  presented by  various ethnic groups of Sarawak.

TV3 Carnival 'Jom Heboh'

TV3 Jom Heboh carnival has been around from one state to another state of Malaysia and Kuching,Sarawak hosted the event last weekend.

This is the first time I visited the carnival after watching it on the television for years.Finally last Sunday I had join the crowds.

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The carnival was held at a parking space near to Sarawak stadium.

It appear that Maxis Hot Link was a main sponsor,I was here in the morning and it was already many crowd.

The weather was so hot as you can see the people were scrambling for shade under the trees.

Aidil Fitri my Blessings...

Photo captured  with lumix LX3. (P&S)

Why do we admire scenes like this?  What is it about the beauty of nature that causes men, women, and even babies to stand in amazement?

“General Revelation.”  That is, God the Creator, has revealed aspects of His character and nature to all of mankind through His creation.  When we look at this sunset, we realize that God is BEAUTIFUL and the source of all beauty!

Today Muslims throughout the world celebrate the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.

The first day of Syawal is known as Eid-ul-Fitr in some parts of the world and Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Aidil Fitri in Malaysia.

There will be family gatherings and reunions in the days ahead during the month of Syawal.

Those who live and work in cities away from their hometowns often make the effort to return to the places where they were born or lived as children.

But many more such as the Malaysian who work overseas and our fellow soldiers will celebrate the dawn of Syawal alone, away from family and friends.

Let us spare a thought for them and resolve to show compassion for them  as we enjoy the company of our loves ones and traditional delicacies specially prepared for the festivities.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA ,AIDIL FITRI.

MA'AF ZAHIR BATIN.

Bertuntung or Lighting Fiesta.

Lighting fiesta or better known as 'Bertuntung' which go on through the Syawal period see villages in Kuching,lighted with decorative lamp and traditional lamps.

Children is the most joyful people during the fiesta .Here you see the children preparing to light the traditional lamps.

This fiesta bertuntung  is held with aim of bringing back nostalgic feeling of how Hari Raya was  celebrated in the past.

The villagers would decorated the kampung(Village) and houses with kerosene lamps  and colourful decoration lamps.

Bertuntung  a traditional widely practised by the Malay Muslim community in Sarawak since the colonial era.

This is how the kerosene lamp look like,,,,Selamat Hari Raya.

Is it last day of Ramadan...

The period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadan.The actual sighting is conducted by state

appointed religious officials at various points (usually at hilltops) throughout the country.If the crescent is sighted,the following day is then declared the first day of Aidilfitri,which is also the beginning of the 10th month of Muslim calendar SAWWA:L.(Syawal) 

People are rushing ..just in case to-morrow is Hari Raya.

The katupat casing on sale..

In Malaysia, the sighting of Syawal new moon to determine the date for Aidilfitri celebration will be held at 30 places nationwide on Sept 8 that is to-night.The Conference of Rulers has given its consent that the date for Aidilfitri  be fixed based on sighting  of the new moon and calculations.'The Keeper of the Ruler's Seal" will announce the Aidilfitri date over radio and television the same night.

Rush hour..traffic congested is common here, as you can see people are rushing to Gambier street,the most popular spot for Hari Raya needs.

The Night of Tujuh Likor...

 

The last 10 nights of Ramadan is said to be the most auspicious nights for the month. It is mentioned in the holy Quran that angels would come down to earth on one of those night, praying together with those who pray late in the nights.

Another practice associated with the last days of Ramadan is that of putting up lights around the house. From the twenty-seventh day of the month up to the Hari Raya (Eid) festival, if you walk through any Malay village you will find the houses lighted up with oil lamps, or coloured electric lamp. The occasion is known as "Malam Tujuh Likur" but it is not of Islamic origin even though the lights are said to welcome the angels who visit earth during this period.

Nevertheless, these displays of lights are very attractive especially in the villages. It also set the mood for the Hari Raya festival which is just a few days away.

Merdeka Day in Kuching.

The beautiful sun was shining and I have to put on sun glasses to protect my eyes 'Welcome to Kuching,Sir".

Yesterday 31 of August 2010 is Merdeka Day in Malaysia and its public holiday.

I started my day by walking from Padang Merdeka .Padang merdeka in Kuching,formerly known as padang central,is rather 'QUIET' this time around as this year's Malaysia Day is not held in Kuching.It was 09:00AM ,the beautiful sun was shining so beautifully that I couldn't resist capturing some photos of Merdeka fever in some parts of Kuching City.

The admin of this building 'Medan Pelita' is in a spirit of patriotic.

Street fruits vendor trying to be a patriotism ,using the flag (Jalur Gamilang) to protect him from sunshine........

Spirit of Patriotism '1Malaysia'  creativity of St.Joseph School students...

Bapak Malaysia image should be highlighted instead of our present PM.Another creativity of St.Jo School. (Jo is for Joseph not Abg Jo our state minister).

On my way to my home 'Desa Ilmu' this is Jalan Dato Mohd Musa of Kota Samarahan.This place is 30 mins drive or about 26KM from Kuching City.See the Jalur Gamilang on a street lamp pole and it's public holiday so not many road user to-day.

All above image captured using Olympus DSLR the official camera for Kuching Daily photo .

Hari Raya Preparation..

All Malaysian Muslim are getting into a final one third stage of the holy month of Ramadan.In less then 10 days,they will celebrate Eidul Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa.

What would Hari Raya be without new clothes, new shoes, new bags and basically lots of new things?

Shoppers throng malls, bazaars and boutiques in search for the trendiest baju kurungs and kebayas (traditional Malay attire for women), latest tudung )(scarf) trends, fashionable shoes, sleekest baju melayu (traditional Malay attire for men) and so forth. There are some who opt for a family colour theme for Hari Raya each year, and will hunt for materials of the same colour. While some can make their own Hari Raya attire or send it to the tailors, others prefer to get it ready-made as it is easier and sometimes cheaper.

 

Spoilt for choices........

It’s not just about the shoes,kopiah or clothes; even Hari Raya delicacies are on sale along with the apparel.

Delicacies etc,etc.......

Children wear etc.etc.........

 

Though it’s the fasting month, many shoppers don’t seem to feel the fatigue or tiredness when hunting for the best deals. While some opt to go shopping at night, after the breaking of fast, many would rather go during the day as there are more shops open and they can get the best bargains.

My advise....spend wisely.

Hari Raya-Everything New........

 

One thing I liked about Hari Raya celebration is I get to see the Muslim liked to decorate their house with new paint, new curtains, new furniture,new decorative lights and not forgetting new cloth & shoes.Some even buy new car...

Strictly Malaysian-Balik Kampung.

Loosely translated, "balik kampung" means to go back to one's hometown. However, it is most applicable when used to describe the annual pilgrimage of city folk to their respective hometowns during festive seasons.

It's not uncommon to find cities like Kuala Lumpur turning into ghost towns during Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year due to this yearly exodus. This feeling of desolation in cities is magnified when festivals fall close together, such as Kongsi Raya (Hari Raya Puasa and Chinese New Year) although this happens only occasionally.

Ramadan-It's not about food .

The food sale at Ramadan Bazaar..

Few hours before breaking fast..a lot of people stampede the bazaar......

 

The magical moment of Ramadan in Malaysia are those market stalls selling a variety of foods and some are only available during Ramadan. Seeing people of all races and religions shopping and buying these foods are images that will forever be etched in one's mind. Ramadan is also that time of the year where family members make an effort to be home for the breaking of fast and be together as a family to enjoy and share those wonderful spread. Ramadan brings the family closer. Of course eating in moderation and eating healthy foods are key to a longer, happier and prosperous family lives.However, in Malaysia, the month itself has been tainted with the extreme gluttony during the entire month of fasting. Not sure what I’m talking about? Well, I don’t mean I am good Muslim then any other Muslim brother but the gluttony among most Muslims in Malaysia can be seen in the Ramadan Bazaar. A few hours before breaking fast, a lot of people will stampede the bazaar in order to buy loads of food for the breaking fast.

Sarawak Regatta 2010 in Kuching.

Opening event.......

The history of Sarawak Regatta.........Basically, The Sarawak Regatta in the Brooke Days is known as a game of peace and passion to unite the warring tribes of Borneo. In those days, Rajah Charles Brooke used to send his yatch "Maimunah" to bring in the various 'Tuan Residents' to join the social event......

 

The family get shades from underneath the trees....

 

Sarawak Regatta started on the 30th July to 1st August 2010 at Kuching Waterfront. I just spent half day watching the events (last day Sunday) ignoring the heat from the very hot sun. No doubt along the waterfront you can get shades from underneath the trees but at times really had to go infront to get a clearer view.

 

Sarawak River.....

The Sarawak Regatta, to be held from July 30 with local and foreign participants, would directly promote racial harmony, greater understanding of cultural diversity and promote the tourism industry.

Will this team LANDAS grab the title "King of the River"...........

This has made the races more exciting. Participating teams have done their preparations earlier than usual and are well prepared. This can be seen in their determination to grab the coveted ‘King of the River’ title in the various categories.