Onus on us to celebrate Hari Raya ‘responsibly’
Hari Raya Aidilfitiri has not been the same since the Covid-19 pandemic was declared early last year.
Following the rising number of cases, the government has been doing its best in breaking the chain of infection by imposing various phases of Movement Control Order (MCO) and continuously revising the standard operating procedures (SOP) depending on the circumstances of the situation.
This year, Hari Raya would be celebrated in a rather subdued mood – not much different from last year when MCO 1.0 was in force.
Sarawak Islamic Council has announced that the permissible days for Aidilfitri visits only between close family members living in Conditional MCO (CMCO) areas would be the first three days, with the maximum number of visitors allowed set at 50 per cent of the total capacity of the hosting house and with physical distancing of at least 1m being strictly observed.
Additionally, under this revised SOP, no Aidilfitri-related activities would be allowed in areas under the Enhanced MCO (EMCO), including visits to the graves.
This year, the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to be this Thursday (May 13).
“Before Covid-19, we would have done many preparations such as buying more Raya clothes, more food for guests.
“Now, it’s all about us strictly adhering to the SOP,” local entrepreneur Maraini Jaafar, 53, told The Borneo Post here.
She said for as long as she remembered, all her family members would gather at her brother-in-law’s house in Tanjong Kidurong right after ‘Solat Sunat Aidilfitri’ (congregational prayer on the morning of the first day), but this ‘tradition’ had to be cancelled last year.
“This year would be no exception, as we need to comply with the SOP,” said Maraini, adding that her family had adapted to the new norms.
“We choose to stay at home and only visit our immediate family members, but it is also important to make sure that we all would not go at one time in order to properly observe physical distancing,” she said.
Maraini said as a homeowner, she and her lot must be honest to their guests – even if they were their immediate family members – about not being ready to accept visitors during this time.
“There are many factors to be considered before we could accept visitors, especially with regard to their ability to comply with the SOP.
“I believe that everyone must wear face mask and bring their own hand sanitiser, and for homeowners, they must do a bit of disinfection works before and after receiving guests.
“I would recommend that each household sets its own MySejahtera QR code for visitor’s record and temperature-check.
“In planning your visits, limit the number of houses; for example, one house per day, and to not spend too long a time at one house,” said this resident of RPR Taman Sebiew Indah.
Maraini also said through technology, everyone could stay connected with their families virtually.
“Yes, it may not be the same as physically being with them, but for the sake of our health and others’, we must be responsible in celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri,” she stressed.
Ali Sabri Saber Ali Khan, on the other hand, believed that the onus was on the homeowner in making sure that their household would always be clean, tidy and – in view of the present situation – sanitised throughout the Aidilfitri celebration.
“Whether there are guests or not, the house must always be neat and clean,” said the 63-yearold retired educator, who also pointed out that everyone must uphold their responsibility of helping the authorities break the chain of Covid-19.
“Even if we’re allowed to visit our immediate family members, we have decided not to do so this year,” said Ali Sabri, whose residence is in Kampung Baru in Jepak.
On his family’s preparations for this coming Hari Raya, he said: “For Raya clothes, we only buy what is being offered in the market, there is not much choice there.
“However, Raya food is a must on the first day. This, I believe, is perhaps the only thing that can brighten up our Raya mood this year.”
On house decorations, Ali Sabri said they had already installed and arranged colourful LED lights around the compound on the first day of Ramadan.
For Noriha Ali, her family’s preparation for Hari Raya Aidilfitri this time would be similar to last year’s.
“We had prepared our Raya clothes early, hoping to celebrate it like we used to – alas, the situation is still the same as last year’s, so we are minimising other preparations at home.
“There will be no open-house, even for immediate family members; just a precaution as we wouldn’t know who is carrying the virus.
“My household also has small children,” said the 58-year-old housewife.
Meanwhile, Lt (PA) Ra’idah Jomi viewed this year’s Aidilfitri celebration as ‘something meaningful, despite all the new norms’
The 41-year-old Civil Defence Force Bintulu officer remarked: “It is a celebration of our success in facing the challenges amidst the fight against Covid-19.
“This is what the celebration means to me as a frontliner.”
Born in Serian, Ra’idah said all her family members are currently there.
“I hope everyone would remain patient.
“In preparing for Aidilfitri, we should also cherish the few remaining days of the fasting month,” said this resident of Taman Kemena Sutera.
Ra’idah also called upon fellow Sarawakians to continue complying fully with the SOP and avoid any activity that could pose a health risk to others.
“I would like to wish a happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all my friends and also to fellow frontliners, who have been carrying out their duties with dedication in our fight against Covid-19,” she added.