STILL CLOSE AT HEART DURING SYAWAL

Those not spending Raya with their loved ones still see it as a celebration of thanksgiving

THE message in the 1980s song, Indahnya Beraya

Di Desa, by Azlina Aziz about children living in the city returning to the village to be with their parents, often fires up the Hari Raya Aidilfitri spirit.

Malaysians fast during Ramadan and wait excitedly for this chance to celebrate with their loved ones.

There is, however, an exception to this tradition this year with the government having imposed strict rules during Hari Raya to break the chain of Covid-19 infections.

In the past, Raya celebrations lasted the whole of Syawal, where one can visit anywhere and at any time. Now, there is a standard operating procedure to follow, with a ban on interstate travels, open houses and gatherings of more than 20 family members on the first day of Raya.

The custom of giving salam and visiting the graves of departed ones are also not allowed during the Conditional Movement Control Order.

It’s indeed not going to be a normal Raya for Zurina Mohd Ali, 59, and her husband, Md Wazilah Ismail, 61, in Sungai Ara, Penang.

Usually, a week before Syawal, they would be busy making preparations to welcome their three children home and baking their favourite chocolate rice cookies and pineapple tarts.

“This is the first time I’m celebrating Aidilfitri without my children,” said Zurina, adding that although she was sad, she accepted that CMCO was for the good of the people.

Despite the new normal, and sans the joy and laughter of her three grandchildren, she said Syawal would still be a celebration of thanksgiving for the whole family.

The house is decorated, new sets of clothes are ready to be worn and Raya dishes like ketupat, rendang, serunding and tomato rice will prepared to be shared with those near and dear.

Zurina hopes a video call she is planning to make to her children and grandchildren on the morning of the first day of Raya would make up for not seeing them in person.

As for Murni Md Rejab, 32, from Shah Alam, Selangor, it is the first time she is not taking a long break to spend Aidilfitri at her kampung in Permatang Berangan, Sungai Petani, Kedah.

“Close to Raya, all of us in the kampung would be busy getting the house cleaned and ready with new curtains and carpets, setting up lampu pelita (paraffin torches or lamps) and making kuih raya, but it is not to be this year.

“Of course, it’s sad, but what to do? I did buy my mum baju raya early, though.

“Her duit raya will be banked in too. Love doesn’t stop just because I can’t meet, hug or kiss her.

“My mum has advised me to stay put where I am are until things get better,” said Murni, admitting that she would miss her mother’s nasi briyani and bihun

sup this Raya.

She said since her three housemates would not return to their kampung, they’ve decided to decorate the house, buy kuih

raya and make laksa utara on the first day of Raya.

“It would have been better if the government had imposed such stringent rules during the Movement Control Order.

“Then, not paying visits during Raya would have been fine.

“Now, at this stage, many people are defiant, thinking that the Covid-19 pandemic is over.”