Eid Al Fitr in Malaysia will officially start on Saturday, April 22, according to the country’s authorities.
The announcement came after religious committees were unable to sight the crescent moon of the month of Shawwal this evening and therefore Eid Al Fitr is on Saturday.
Eid Al Fitr, or what Malaysians call “Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” is an Islamic occasion that marks the end of Ramadan fasting.
A couple of days before Eid Al Fitr, Malaysian highways from the north to the south are overcrowded due to the “Hari Raya Exodus.” This is when Malaysians return to their hometowns to celebrate the feast with their families.
Since it is not possible to predict exactly which day Eid Al Fitr falls on, religious authorities conduct the sighting of the new moon to officially announce the news on the eve of Eid.
The day preceding Eid is always busy for Muslims around the world and across Malaysia as people adorn their houses with lights and decorations. They are also busy preparing traditional dishes such as “rendang” — a spicy and aromatic dish made of meat, chili paste, coconut milk, ground coconut, and spices.
It is also important to have “Kuih Raya” on the table, a variety of traditional and modern cookies put in jars and served to guests.
Malaysian Muslims get dressed in their finest traditional clothes with men wearing “Baju Melayu” (long-sleeved shirt and trousers) and women dressing in “Baju Kurung” (a loose-fitting full-length dress consisting of a blouse and a skirt).
Before heading to mosques for the Eid prayer, Malaysian people seek forgiveness from their families and friends, especially their elders.
The spirit of Eid continues for the rest of the month among Malaysians to strengthen personal ties with people they have not seen for a long time through visits.
Another common ritual in Malaysia is the giving of charity (sadaqa) to people who don’t have the necessary means to celebrate the feast like the rest.
Read also: Malaysia Announces Thursday as First Day of Ramadan 2023
