A Different R A Y A: How my Muslim Friends Keep the Raya Spirit Alive

When it comes to celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, I think of Muslim friends balik kampung, Raya open houses with delicious traditional Malay treats, early morning prayers at the mosques and streets filled with ketupat leaves and fairy lights that brighten up the festive spirit. 

As we all know, this year’s Raya will no longer be celebrated the same way. Most of us will be staying at home to practice social distancing while navigating new ways to keep the Raya traditions alive. 

Curious on how Raya will be celebrated this year, I spoke with 5 of my Muslim friends to find out what they miss the most, their plans to make this Raya a memorable one and the things they remain grateful for while embracing the new normals. 

As an F&B business owner at Beard Brothers’ BBQ, Nazri acknowledged the business challenge exists, especially since the Movement Control Order (MCO). However, he is grateful for a supportive team who provided ideas on ways to better serve customers who would still like a taste of Texas-style barbecue at home.

“To just say that we are gonna get through this stronger and better is a blanket statement but if we work together as a community, we will get through this stronger,” said Nazri. This has also made Nazri recognised the importance of being more appreciative towards the people in his life. This Raya, Nazri and his employees will be spending the Raya week at home to recharge and spend quality time with family. 

You might be like me, envying Sharifah who is always close to nature - she educates people how to scuba dive and runs marine conservation activities for a living at Perhentian Island, Terengganu. However, due to the interstate travel ban under Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), Sharifah will be celebrating Raya with her husband and child in Terengganu, instead of reuniting with her mom back in her hometown. 

“What I miss the most for this year’s Raya will be the warmth of my multicultural family. Every year, we will gather at my house with my mother’s ketupat and rendang,” said Sharifah. “Amidst a different Raya, I am grateful for being able to stay closer to nature and spend more time to review Sea Voice Diver’s sustainability policy. Once I get the chance to reunite with my family, I will give them a big hug and eat my mom’s home cook food.”

Ida was set to welcome her husband back last month from the United States but the plan was halted due to COVID-19. She also won’t be able to travel back home to reunite with her mom but to stay back in KL with her brother’s family. 

“This year’s Raya is a total opposite as I got married last year’s before Raya, and got to spend it with everyone,” said Ida. “Apart from missing them, I will miss the long drive back to hometown while singing to Hari Raya songs. However, I am still grateful for having my brother’s family around. I look forward to cooking Raya meals while calling my mom, husband and friends to make this Raya a meaningful one!”

As a big foodie, murtabak, air tebu and popiah basah are a must for Afiq to get from the bazaar. He misses Solat Hari Raya with his grandparents in the East Coast the most but believes that family and relative visitation can wait as everyone’s safety comes first. 

Afiq shared, “This Raya, I’m gonna do a video call in the morning with my grandparents. We will ask for forgiveness from the elders, especially from my parents and grandparents. Afterwards, there will be a makan session with my parents since I stay with them. We will wind down by binge-watching shows on Netflix.”

“I was actually looking forward to celebrating Hari Raya this year after spending a few years studying in Auckland,” Syahirah told me. Although she won’t get to celebrate Raya the traditional way this year, Syahirah is grateful for her brother who urged her to head back to parents’ home in KL before the start of Movement Control Order (MCO). If she did not head back earlier this year, she would be spending Raya all alone in KL city this year. 

While spending this Raya with her family, she looks forward to catching up with her friends in the future to share each other’s stories during the MCO period, as well as the things they have enjoyed doing during the Raya break.

If you would like to find out more about how they celebrate Raya this year, check out Klook’s very first Raya-themed video: “A Different R A Y A” for that tug at heartstrings stories.

On behalf of Klook, I would like to wish our Muslim friends Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.