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.

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.

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 Bazaar.

Songkok..being display on the motor cycle seat.

 

I see only small crowd gathering here.

 

 

Very few selection of goods to shop here...this year 2010 & this the place they normally set up the temporary makeshift market.

What is the 'Hari Raya Bazaar'
The Hari Raya Bazaar is a temporary makeshift market filled with stalls that has a variety of goods that ranges from the Malay traditional clothing's.carpets,cakes ,songkok ,cakes and goodies etc and are enjoyed by the local community especially from the kampung.Every year they setup the bazaar at Indain Street Mall in old part of Kuching ,India Street.
I was suprise that no Hari Raya Bazaar set up this year and very few people to shop for coming Hari Raya which is fall maybe on this 10th of September or
maybe I should come back here again to see what happen by end of this month when most people get their paycheck .

Ramadan-Teraweh Prayer.

Tarawih Prayers іn Malaysia

Tarawih / Taraweeh Prayer іѕ a special evening prayer performed bу Muslims throughout thе world οnƖу іn thе holy month οf Ramadan during whісh long рοrtіοnѕ οf thе Qur’аn аrе recited. Ramadan іѕ thе ninth month οf thе Islamic calendar аnԁ іѕ thе month whеrе аƖƖ Muslims fаѕt (“puasa” іn Malay) frοm sunrise tο sunset еνеrу day.

Performing Tarawih prayer іѕ a “sunnah” ( whісh means thе prayer іѕ voluntary hοwеνеr Muslims аrе strongly encouraged tο ԁο іt аѕ іt іѕ a practice bу Prophet Muhammad s.a.w) аnԁ іt іѕ nοt obligatory.

Tarawih / Taraweeh іѕ perform аftеr `Isha’ Prayer (Night Prayer). It саn bе perform аt home, alone οr іn congregation, οr аt a mosque. Hοwеνеr thе normal practice here іn Malaysia, Tarawih іѕ perform іn Mosques аnԁ “Suraus”. Men, women аnԁ kids wіƖƖ fload mosques аnԁ suraus within thеіr home іn thе whole month οf Ramadan.

ABC Wednesday letter 'J' is for JOY.

The JOY of celebrating Hari Raya.The children is the most JOYFUL person during Hari Raya.It's the only day when they get to wear new cloths(Baju Melayu).

As a child with all its JOY and happiness,with laughter and jokes amongst it friends .ABC Wednesday this week is letter J to see more 'J' kindly visit this home page

HERE

Eid-Ul-Fitri Prayer.

On the morning of Eid-Ul-Fitri also known as Hari Raya in Malaysia,Muslim throughout the world perform Eid-Ul-Fitri prayer.This year I decided to peform my prayer at Masjid Bandar Kuching also known as Masjid India.

I met a group of Bangladeshi foreign Muslim workers .

More than half of the foreign workers are believed to be working legally or illegally in Malaysia.

I greet them with Salam and Eid-Ul-Fitri greeting.

"This Eid-Ul-Fitri did you miss your family ? "

"I miss my family,I miss my country and I miss my land".

My World Tuesday-Hari Raya Preparation.

For place to visit by visit this homepage That's My World

The best time to visit Kuching is during the month of Ramadhan.Every year in the month of Ramadhan Muslim from within Kuching and outside Kuching will go to Gambier Street and India Street area to shop for cloth and food in preparation for their Hari Raya.

Hari Raya is very much commercialised in Malaysia.In the city like Kuching,shopping malls and commercial centres will hold big promotion and price discounts for festive shoppers as people purchase clothes and supplies.Decorations are hung in public areas and Hari Raya song will be played in shopping complexes.The media,such as TV will host various programs in conjunction with the celebrations and tourist are welcome to their open house.

Idil Adha Congregational Prayer.

Father and son...ready for Idil Adha prayer .


My photo hunting this morning at suburban area (Kota Semarahan District).The Muslim in the district of Kota Semarahan performed their idil adha prayer in the Masjid Al-Taqwa at about 07:00 in the morning.
The prayer starts with the takbir prayer,then the prayer two rakaats,Idil adha prayer then the kutbah(sermon)delivered by Imam.