Open House of Hari Raya Aidilfitri

In Malaysia, Eid is commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Hari Raya Puasa. During the Hari Raya celebration, we muslim usually ask forgiveness from our relatives and friends. Hari Raya celebration is a joyous occasion with important religious significance, celebrating the achievement of enhanced piety. It is a day of forgiveness, moral victory, peace of congregation, fellowship, brotherhood and unity. Muslims celebrate not only the end of all that fasting but also thank Allah for the help and strength through the previous month to help everyone practice self-control. It is a time of giving and sharing, and many Muslims dress in holiday attire.

When Muslims finish fast at the last day of ramadhan, we recite Takbir (تَكْبِير) is the phrase Allāhu Akbar, الله أكبر. Usually translated "ALLAH is great",

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar
الله أكبر الله أكبر الله أكبر
la ilaha illa Allah
لا إله إلا الله
Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar
الله أكبر الله أكبر
wa li-illahi al-hamd
ولله الحمد

Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
There is no deity but Allah
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest
and to Allah goes all praise

During these days of celebration, It is common to greet people with "Selamat Hari Raya" or "Salam Aidilfitri" which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also greet one another with "maaf zahir dan batin" which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings)", due to the fact that Eid ul-Fitr is not only for celebrations, but also the time for Muslims to cleanse their sins and strengthen their ties with relatives and friends.

Eid ul-Fitr is a very joyous day for children for on this day adults are especially generous. Children will be given token sums of money, also known as "duit raya" from their parents or elders.

As annual, Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house is a must-event for us. We invited guests from families, friends, office mates etc. Well, original plan was on Sunday, but last minute, we change it it to Saturday. It was a very busy week cause the previous week I was in Penang hosting an Inter-Ministry meeting from Tuesday until Friday. I reached home Friday night at 9.30 pm.

The event day started from 12.30 pm until 10.30 pm Saturday. I was so tired, and that night, I slept at 12.30 am midnight, until the next day, and suprisingly, I woke up at 3.00 pm on Sunday... I slept for 15 hours!!!.

Anyway, special thanks to all my friends (Kak Yong, Kak Aishah (paling glemer), Kak Yus (ramainya kakak aku), Haida, Abg Man (always the first to come), Abg Zali Monster, Abg Azam (sakit tangan pun datang), Abg Raja (nasib baik tak sesat sampai Hulu Langat), Adam, Punk, Kak Jem. To all my ex-students whom never missed my open house (afiq, fakri and fahim), and relatives for coming to my open house day. It was so exciting also as both of my parents and in-law family are with us.

Until next year event, I would like to wish everybody a very Happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf, Dzahir dan Batin.

I Love you guys!!!