Since the 20th of July, Muslims in Singapore are fasting from dawn to sunset and will
celebrate the end of the Ramadan on Sunday 19th of August. This festival is
known as Hari Raya Puasa or just Hari Raya.
Hari Raya Puasa are Malay words which literally mean “Day of
celebration”. Hari Raya is the time to seek forgiveness,
reconciliation and renewal of relationships. Muslims recite additional prayers
and take this opportunity to cleanse themselves spiritually. The fasting that
they undertake is believed to instill in them patience, humility and
sacrifice.
During the festival a huge markets has been set up in Geylang Serai and Kampong Glam. These markets become very crowded after sunset with people buying new clothes, furnishings for the house and
traditional foods. As they will do a lot of entertaining on the day of Hari Raya lots of gifts for family and friends are on sale in forms of sweets and biscuits.
Muslims families usually dress in the same colour on the day to signify
their sense of unity and harmony. As the Hari Raya holiday falls on a Sunday this year , Monday is a holiday in lieu and Muslims will use the holiday go to visit family and friends in Malaysia.
Many shops have the traditional Ketupat decorations up
for the festival. Ketupat are woven baskets that usually contain rice and then steamed and served during the celebrations.
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Market stalls in Kampong Glam |
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Market at Geylang Serai |
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Market at Geylang Serai |
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Biscuits and sweets available for gifts |
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Baju Kurungs |
Ketupat decorations
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Decorations for the home |
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Dates are very popular |
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Street decorations |
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Street decorations |
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Street decorations |
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Street decorations |
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Street decorations |
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