Raya Brings Forgiveness And Thanksgiving
By Hanni ABD

Bandar Seri Begawan - As Hari Raya enters its fifth day today, Muslims who ushered Aidilfitri on Tuesday, like in the Belait district, are still in high spirits to celebrate.

Normally the Hari Raya celebration lasts for a month but it is concentrated in the first three days. With the festive mood still in the air, almost every house is illuminated with the pelita (oil lamp), which is making a comeback during this year's festivities.

The famous LED icicle lights decorate most houses and department stores to promote the brand new designed Hari Raya lights.

And joy is seen on the children's faces as they look forward to the celebration. Clad in new Baju Melayu, they wave sparklers in the air from their houses in Belait.

Fireworks also soar during the night and explode into sparkling but ephemeral lights against the inky sky.

There are non-stop invitations to open-houses and visitors from all races are welcome to share different local dishes such as ketupat, beef rendang, chicken kurma, lemang, kek lapis, raya biscuits and more.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri brings the full meaning of thanksgiving and forgiveness. Muslims offer thanks to God, the young ones seek mercy from their elders, who give their blessings and green packets with money for luck.

The celebration of the festival of Hari Raya continues for a month. In other countries, the public holiday is only for the first two days of the Syawal month.

Hari RayaAidilfitri is not purely a religion celebration. It unites the family with love, understanding, blessings, forgiveness and the spirit of harmony among the different races.

For those who bore the pangs of hunger during the month-long Ramadhan fast, Syawal is a month to celebrate.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a major festival among Muslims in Brunei to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadhan upon the sighting of the new moon. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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