Eid Al Fitr-Hari Raya Celebrations in Southeast Asia 2024
The end of Ramadan, which is the Islamic holy month of fasting, is marked by the Muslim holiday called Eid Al Fitr, also called Eid. There are many names that people around the world call this day, it is known as one of the most important of the Muslims festivals. In the Malay countries of Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia, Eid Al Fitr is sometimes referred to as Hari Raya, which literally means “Celebration Day” or “Big Day.” It is also called Lebaran, Aidil Fitri or Idul Fitri.
When is Eid Al Fitr or Lebaran?
The date of Hari Raya/ Lebaran /Eid Al Fitr will most likely fall on May 3, 2024. but it will depend on local sightings of the various moon phases, so this date is an approximation.
The Celebration of Hari Raya Eid al Fitr
On the night before Eid al Fitr, you can hear the sounds of the muezzin singing the takbir, which is either held in a mosque or mushollas. Some parts of the rural areas of Malaysia and Indonesia oil lamps, which are like tiki torches are lit and placed outside the house; these are also known by Malaysians as pelita, panjut or lampu colok. A kind of glutinous rice made into cakes and cooked in bamboo are special dished called ketupat, dodol, or lemang as well as other Indo-Malay, Malaysia and Nyonya delicacies are served throughout the day.
In Malaysia, it is common to greet each other with “Salam Aidilfitri” or “Selamat Idul Fitri,” which means “Happy Eid.” “Mohon maaf lahir dan batin” is a common greeting between Muslims in Indonesia and for Muslims in Malaysia the greeting is “maaf zahir dan batin,” which means “forgive my physical and emotional wrongdoings.” This is because Idul Fitri is also a time of atonement; asking for the forgiveness of sins, which were committed but cleansed during the fasting of Ramadan.
Balik Kampung/ Mudik
Known as a very large temporary human migration, the custom of Lebaran, where millions of migrants, go back to their city or hometown at almost the same time that cause heavy traffic jam every where in Indonesia. They back to hometown in order to ask forgiveness from their in-laws, parents and elders for any wrongdoing. This migration is called pulang kampung or mudik in Indonesia and balik kampung in Malaysia.
Learn details about the Feast of Breaking the Fast celebration in South East Asian countries below:
- Indonesia: Hari Raya Eid Al Fitr/ Idul Fitri or Lebaran in Indonesia
- Malaysia: Hari Raya Puasa/ Aidil Fitri or Eid Al Fitr in Malaysia
- Singapore: Hari Raya Puasa/ Lebaran or Eid Al Fitr in Singapore
- Brunei: Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or Eid Al Fitr in Brunei
