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Muslims'
Affairs in `Eid
Colorful
`Eid Celebrations Filled with Food and Delicacies in Malaysia
Kazi
Mahmood
Kuala
Lumpur (IslamOnline)
`Eid
celebrations in Malaysia is a colorful display of Malay traditional
dresses accompanied with lots of food and delicacies prepared for guests
who seldom miss the open houses, a very Malaysian custom.
In
Malaysia, millions of Muslims will gather early in the morning at
mosques for the `Eid prayers wearing their traditional Malay dresses
which come in a choice of colors.
Malay
males wearing the songkok, a black headgear shaped on the Ali Jinnah
cap, shirts and pants that forms part of the “Baju Melayu” or Malay
traditional dress which is accompanied by the “kain samping’, a
short piece of richly colored cloth wrapped around the hip, would rush
to the nearest mosques for the prayers and the khutbah.
Unlike
other Muslim countries in Asia and Africa or Arabia, Malaysian Muslims
does not practice the traditional Islamic hug, which has become the
trademark of Yasser Arafat, the besieged leader of the Palestinians.
Instead,
the Malays and other Muslims in this country would shake hands in a very
solemn manner and touch their chest in a sign of respect.
It
is common for ladies to take part in the `Eid prayers, though not all
the ladies would do so. The womenfolk’s would wear a completely white
“telekung” or ‘prayer dress’ that covers the body completely
leaving only the face to be seen.
Since
the `Eid marks the end of the 30 days of fasting and prayers, the
Muslims asks for forgiveness when they meet each other exchanging the
specific phrase “Maaf Zahir dan Batin” which means “forgive me for
all wrong doings”.
On
the day of `Eid, Malaysian Muslims organizes what is called “open
house”, a local tradition of opening the house to neighbors who lives
in the same vicinity.
Muslims,
Chinese, Indians and sometimes foreigners too will join in the open
houses to have a nice meal, enjoy the local pastries and traditional
food.
“`Eid
al-Fitr will be a bore without the food, the clothing and the atmosphere
of friendship that arise when the people gather,” Moktar Ali said.
Ali
will be organizing an open house, inviting some dignitaries of the
Indian community and his neighbors for a fiesta of rich food. He will
cater for Muslims and non-Muslims, especially vegetarians.
Member
of a local Non-Government Organization (NGO) and a part time publisher
Ali make it a must to hold the open house and invite as much people as
possible for the meal.
”This
is the spirit of `Eid in Malaysia. As a multicultural nation we show our
friendship and we ask everybody to come and drink and eat in our
house,” he added.
Food
is always a plenty in Malaysia with locals saying, “no one will ever
die of hunger in this country” which is on the verge of becoming the
first Muslim country with a developed status.
In
Malaysia the favorite food for `Eid is made of local dishes such as
Ketupat, Rendang, Lemang and Sambal Goreng. Among the pastries there
will be Kueh Lapis, cake kukus, cookies and other western cakes. The
Ketupat is the Malaysian national food for the `Eid. It is composed of
rice cooked in bamboo leaves wrapped into a diamond shape.
Lemang
and Rendang are also favorite traditional food in Malaysia. Lemang is
rice mixed with coconut milk and cooked in bamboos. Rendang is mostly
made of beef cooked in a special mixture.
Children
and adults have a real time eating at different houses which they will
be visiting in their home towns. The house of the parents will be the
focus where the children with their offspring’s will be heading to on
the first day of `Eid.
“This
is a sign of respect for Muslims. Visit the house of the parent’s
first then visit the rest of the family. In our case, it will be a
hectic day on the day of `Eid, no less than 30 people including kids
will be in my father house for `Eid,” Kamarul Zaman said.
This
year, Kamaral has already purchased the traditional `Eid dresses for his
family of four kids. He has also painted his house and bought new
curtains on the insistence of his wife, a teacher in an elementary
school in Kuala Lumpur.
“My
kids love to go visiting during the `Eid, they will plan where to go on
the first day in order not to miss the money hand out called “Duit
Raya” given by parents, grandparents and uncles etc to children on
`Eid,” he added.
The
“Duit Raya” is carefully folded and inserted in small, colorful
envelopes with graphics of the Ketupat or other representations of Islam
printed on them.
Ali
on his part intends to visit the modern and upcoming capital city of
Malaysia, Putra Jaya where the Malaysian Prime Minister Mohamad Mahathir
will hold an open house a few days after the `Eid celebrations.
Tens
of thousands of people, mostly of non-Muslim faiths enjoys the open
house organized by the Prime Minister for the `Eid celebrations, saying
their visit is a sign of respect and gratitude towards the leader.
“Selamat
Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir Batin,” will be the most popular phrase one
would hear throughout Malaysia a few days before the `Eid. This will be
the favorite phrase uttered by Muslims for a month.
”Raya
or `Eid is celebrated on a month long period. Children love to say it
covers for the 30 days of fasting and sacrifice,” a grinning Ali said.
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