Restriction will not put damper on Raya celebration
SIBU: The Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) prohibiting Raya visiting has not dampened the spirit of the celebration among Muslims here.
Although there was no last minute shopping rush at supermarkets, ‘ketupat’ and Raya delicacies remain in demand.
A hawker at Sibu Central Market, Fahtiah Wahid, 46, has been making 800 ketupat casings daily for the past four days.
“I always make these casings during Raya Puasa and Raya Haji. This time, I make less because people cannot go visiting but still receive a fair amount of order. Some even ordered 600 to 800 casings.
“I will continue making ketupat casings with help from my three children and husband until Saturday as Raya falls on May 24,” she shared when met at the market.
She added that there are 12 different kinds of ketupat casings and she learnt to make at least half of them from her mother.
Usually, Fahtiah’s family celebrate Raya at her village in Pulau Bruit or at her husband’s village in Song but this year they would have simple meals at their home here.
Another small entrepreneur Addy Ashraff, 34, said he was surprised to receive many orders for Raya cakes and cookies despite Conditional Movement Control Order.
“I stopped taking orders for Raya and will accept orders for Gawai until May 29 but have some ready stock for sale,” he stated, adding that he still decorated his house for the festival and his family is preparing to celebrate even though there would be no visiting.
He said he had decided to make food packs to share with neighbours, family members and friends.
Meanwhile, civil servant Nur Fazrina Abdullah @ Patricia Rima said she is excited as celebrating Raya would be different from previous years.
“There is less preparation of food with no guests but we will have more varieties as we have more time to look for recipes and my girls really like it,” she said.
She added she has learned a lot during movement control and will video conference with other family members to wish them Selamat Hari Raya.