Life in Singapore is full of kaleidoscopic colour with harmony between various cultures and ethnicities, as they celebrate holidays and festivals throughout the year.
The Chinese, Malayan and Indian communities have lived and evolved in this little Island as one people for almost two centuries. In the process, they have learnt to appreciate and celebrate each other’s cultures and practices.
In that spirit, the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid festivals of the Muslim communities are observed and respected by people of other faiths.
Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are among the examples.
Muslims must fast from dawn to dusk during Ramadan, the ninth month in Islamic calendar. This Holy Month is a reminder to Muslims to observe self-control and submit to Almighty Allah. They cannot eat, drink, smoke or have sex from sunrise to sunset.
This is to strengthen their bodies and souls by directing them away from worldly activities. They learn to be thankful for what they have; after a day of fasting, a glass of water with dates, biscuits or snacks are precious things.
They are also encouraged to forgive and forget past grievances, seek forgiveness from their elders for their own wrongdoings and share with others wherever possible.
In Singapore and Malaysia, especially in the rural areas ‘Pelita’ ‘Panjut’ or ‘Lampu Colok’ (oil lamps, similar to tiki torches) are lit and placed outside and around homes. Special dishes such as ‘Ketupat,’ ‘Rendang,’ and ‘Lemang’ (glutinous rice cake cooked in bamboo) are served during this day.
Muslims in Malaysia offer ‘Bubur Lambuk,’ a type of Malay rice porridge in many places for free distribution during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
Celebrating Eid
Hari Raya Puasa, which means, ‘A Day of Celebration,’ is another name for Eid Al Fitr, which denotes the end of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
It is common to greet people with ‘Salam Aidilfitri’ or ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ which means ‘Happy Eid.’ Muslims also greet each another with ‘Maaf Zahir Dan Batin’ (‘Forgive my physical and emotional wrongdoings’).
First Day of Eid is a national holiday in Singapore and Malaysia.
Muslims congregate at Mosques to offer their Eid prayers, following which they visit families and friends to exchange greetings. Muslim men, women and children wear new clothes, making the Festival colourful and joyful.
Visitors to Muslim homes in Singapore and Malaysia on Hari Raya Puasa expect to taste a wide variety of delicious spicy and sweet dishes. Muslims offer green packets containing money to children.
It is customary for Muslim workers in major cities in Malaysia to return to their home towns to celebrate Eid with their families and ask for forgiveness from parents, in-laws, and other elders. This is known there as ‘Balik Kampung’ (homecoming).
Every Muslim is expected to undertake a pilgrimage to the Holy Cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime. The pilgrimage occurs in celebration of Eid Al Adha, known in Singapore and Malaysia as ‘Hari Raya Haji.’
Pilgrimage or the Haj season, like all other Islamic observances, advances by about ten days each year according to the Hijra Calendar. Hari Raya Haji is expected to be observed on or about October 14 this year.
Hari Raya Haji is also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, to honour the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his first born son Ismail at the command of God.
The Hajj is the largest annual pilgrimage and the largest congregation of Muslims in the world. According to Saudi Prince Khalid Al Faisal, Governor of the Mecca region, almost four million Muslims made their pilgrimage to the Holy City in 2012.
On this day, male volunteers assemble at Al Majid Al Haram, the Grand Mosque in Mecca to offer their prayers and reflect upon the sermons that are read out, after which ‘korban’ or the sacrificial slaughter of sheep, goats and cows is performed.
The meat is then distributed to all, with the needy and the poor given priority.
Although Muslims are in minority (about 15% of the population) in Singapore, they are treated with respect and affection by all Singaporeans, just as Hindus, Christians, Buddhists and other minority communities are accorded equal status in Malaysia, which is an Islamic country.
Dr V Subramaniam is our Singapore Correspondent
Muslims offering Friday prayers at Sultan’s Mosque in Singapore during Ramadan (Picture courtesy: Xinhua/Then Chih Wey)
Cooks preparing ‘Bubur Lambuk’ in Kuala Lumpur during the Holy Month (AP Photo/Lai Seng Sin)
