Paying Homage To The Departed Ahead Of Raya
By Rosli Abidin Yahya

Bandar Seri Begawan - Being the last Sunday before the Raya festivities, all roads leading to gravesites in the country were jammed with vehicles yesterday as Muslims visited their late loved ones and offered prayers - an activity commonly carried out during the month of Ramadhan.

Families usually go to the graveyard in big numbers, in the hopes of passing the traditions to the younger generation.

While some opt to visit the graveyard early in the Ramadhan month, most prefer the first morning of Hari Raya Aidilfitri. There are also families who want to complete their gravesite visits before the Raya to pave way for the celebrations.

On reaching the compound of gravesites, visitors need to offer greetings to their departed ones before recitals and prayers begin at the tombs.

Armed with bottles of scented water or "Aing AsahAsahan" and "Surah Yaasin" prayer books, paying homage to the graveyard just before or during the Raya is a form of silent disclosure that their late loved ones are not forgotten at a time amid the festivities.

Visitors normally recite the "Surah Yaasin", a prayer for the dead and the afterlife.

Some offer "Tahlil" and "Doa Arwah" prayers to the departed ones while children receive money in green packets.

They usually visit the cemetery with their families for about half an hour during which a well-versed member of the family will recite the Surah Yaasin or Tahlil prayer. Some even use the services of religious teachers or ustaz.

While at the gravesites, some take the opportunity to clean the surroundings by uprooting weeds and clearing out rubbish, while burning perfumed sticks for the scent as well as to chase away mosquitoes. Just before leaving the graveyard, each family member will take turn to pour Aing Asah-Asahan on the tomb. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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