Asia Beauty Spot – Asia Scenery

Selamat Hari Raya

Hari Raya Aidilfitri, celebrated by Muslims around the world, marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Muslims fast during Ramadan, and abstain from eating and drinking, which teaches them patience, sacrifice and humility. During this period, Muslims also seek forgiveness, guidance and purification from sins.

In Singapore, greetings of “Selamat Hari Raya” are often heard, and means “wishing you a joyous Hari Raya” in Malay. You will also get to enjoy street festivities and light-ups in Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam, see live performances at Raya Harmoni, and shop at numerous bazaars featuring a variety of traditional Malay delicacies and souvenirs.

Come join in the revelry at this widely commemorated holiday, and experience the rich Malay heritage of Singapore come to life.

1. The Hari Raya

Ramadan is a month-long fasting period when Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn till sunset. They are also expected to refrain from smoking, lying, breaking of promises and cheating. The primary purpose of fasting during Ramadan is to remind all Muslims of self-control and submitting to Allah, the holy one.

You can experience the Hari Raya atmosphere in Singapore at Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai,  be it the “breaking of fast “ experience  at the historical Sultan Mosque  or the festivities at Geylang Serai, which will be lined with street  bazaars  under twinkling  lights and decorations.

Malay families will often be decked out in their best traditional outfits to mark the special occasion. New curtains and clothes are also purchased or sewn for the family. The men usually wear Baju Melayu (loose shirt with trousers) with kain samping (short sarong made of rich material), while the Baju Kurung (tunic top) is the quintessential attire for Malay women. Some families will renovate or decorate the facades of their homes with glittering lights as well. On the morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, families would wear their new clothes, and the men of the household will visit the mosque for prayers. They offer their thanks to God and seek for forgiveness from their elders.

Muslims also give “duit raya” (money packets) to children and old folks when they visit the homes of relatives and friends. At the end of the day, Muslims break their fast (buka puasa) with a communal meal at home or at the mosque. This meal usually consists of Malay dishes such as rending (braised meat), ketupat (rice cake), sambal goreng (fried chilli paste with meat, prawns and long beans) and serunding (shredded coconut fried with spices), or bubur (congee) from the mosque, which has an aromatic flavour. It is also a tradition for households to bake their own cookies, chips and savoury snacks for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, a week before Hari Raya.

2. Hari Raya Shopping & Dining

During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the distinct Malay enclaves of Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam will come to life. Learn more about Islam with a visit to the Sultan Mosque or the Malay Heritage Centre, or try an array of delectable Malay dishes at the Geylang Serai New Market. The lively Nasi Pandang belts of Arab Street and Bussorah Street are also great stops for foodies. If you’re looking for Hari Raya souvenirs or goodies during this period, head down to the inviting shopping complexes in Joo Chiat and Tanjong Katong, where you’ll find plenty of Malay snacks, traditional costumes and handicrafts. So come celebrate Hari Raya and discover the rich Malay culture that Singapore has to offer.

3. Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebrations

Embrace this iconic event this Hari Raya and celebrate this joyous occasion with the Malay Community in Singapore. This is an event where the different ethnic groups of Singapore will come together and enjoy food and shopping.
Discover festive goodies and handicrafts unique to Hari Raya, and sample traditional Malay Kueh (cakes) from the bazaar. Traditional costumes and accessories can also be purchased at the numerous stalls that will line the streets. You can also experience cultural activities in the Malay Village, like Iftar (breaking fast) at the nearby Mosques, as well as queuing for Burbur (Malay congee) before this evening meal.

The Hari Raya light-up is also not to be missed, where you can witness fantastic decorations and colourful lights that will bring the streets to life. Performances by local television celebrities can also be enjoyed, so be sure to head down and celebrate Raya Harmoni with your family and friends.

4. Malay Culture

The native inhabitants of Singapore, Malay today represent the country’s second largest ethnic group, making up around 13.4$ of the population. Most Malay speak the peninsular dialect of the Johore Riau variant of the Malay language, which is closer to that spoken in Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia), rather than that Indonesia.

While a small number of the older generation who were either immigrants themselves or descendents of them who has immigrated can speak Javanese, most Malays do not practice the language of their Indonesia ancestors.

In general, most new generation Malays speak English, while religious Malay Muslims attend Islamic religious classes and learn to speak and write in Arabic.

Religion and Culture: Most Singapore Malays in Singapore are Sunni Muslims who follow Islam as their religion. They pray to God, which is Allah in their religion, five times a day, eat only halal food and fast during Ramadan.

Festivals: Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated at the end of Ramadan, the fasting month of Ramadan. After morning prayers in the mosque, Malays customarily invite friends home to enjoy the feast together.

Arts: Located at the heart of historic Kampong Glam, the nine galleries of the Malay Heritage Museum showcase the roots, history, lifestyle and traditional arts of the Singapore Malays.

Food: Infused with savoury spices and herbs and enriched with coconut milk, Malay cuisine includes the delicious array of nasi padang and skewers of satay served with peanut sauce.

Shopping: The exotic streets of Kampong Glam offer shops selling silk and chiffon fabrics, batiks, sarongs, hand-woven baskets, oil-based perfume scents and rich carpets.

4. Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebrations

Embrace this iconic event this Hari Raya and celebrate this joyous occasion with the Malay Community in Singapore. This is an event where the different ethnic groups of Singapore will come together and enjoy food and shopping.
Discover festive goodies and handicrafts unique to Hari Raya, and sample traditional Malay Kueh (cakes) from the bazaar. Traditional costumes and accessories can also be purchased at the numerous stalls that will line the streets. You can also experience cultural activities in the Malay Village, like Iftar (breaking fast) at the nearby Mosques, as well as queuing for Burbur (Malay congee) before this evening meal.

The Hari Raya light-up is also not to be missed, where you can witness fantastic decorations and colourful lights that will bring the streets to life. Performances by local television celebrities can also be enjoyed, so be sure to head down and celebrate Raya Harmoni with your family and friends.

Courtesy of Singapore Tourism Board