Eid is one of two official festivals in the Islamic Calendar, when Muslims around the world celebrate by gift-giving and spending time with their loved ones. Millions of Muslims from across the world will be marking the end of Ramadan with food, festivities and Eid greetings.
The occasion is seen as a blessing, and a time for Muslims to show gratitude and come together with friends and family to celebrate, with special foods and sweets to commemorate the day. Many will also exchange gifts, visit people they haven’t seen for long periods of time, and remember those who have passed away.
After offering congregational Eid prayers at a mosque, or in a large outdoor space like a public square or park, Muslims will wish each other “Selamat Hari Raya”, which means “Happy celebration day” in Bahasa Indonesia. It’s the language spoken by the people in Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei.
The greeting is usually followed by the words “Maaf lahir dan batin”, which means “I seek forgiveness from you”, and is said to elder friends and family. Little envelopes filled with money, known as ‘Fitrah’, are then given to children. Families often dress in Muslim clothes and match their clothes with each other, as a sign of family unity. It is common to see a multi-generational family dressed in different shades of the same colour, posing for photographs to add to photo albums.
Later, they gather to share a meal with dishes, including ketupat, rice cake dumplings; kue nastar, pineapple tarts; opor ayam, chicken cooked in coconut milk with spices mixture; a particular favourite rendang, a slow-cooked spicy coconut and meat curry; and sambal goreng ati (beef liver in sambal).
–sh
