Transcript Malay Festival and celebration

Malay Festival And
Celebration
Neo Hui Yu
Goh Kok Lin
Kuah Guo Ren
Ang Wee Sheng
On the 10th day of Zulhijah, the last month of the
Muslim calendar, Muslims observe Hari Raya Aidil
Adha. This festival is celebrated in conjuction with
the pilgrimages performed by Muslims, called the
Haj, in the holy city of Mecca. According to the fifth
tenet of Islam, Muslims are required to perform a
pilgrimage to the holy city at least once in their
lifetime. After the completion of the Haj, the pilgrims
would sacrifice animals and the meat is distributed
among the poor. Upon completion of the Haj, men
and women are entitled to wear a white headdress
and are addressed as "Haji" and "Hajah"
respectively. The day is spent offering thanksgiving
prayers and prayers for forgiveness at the mosques
early in the morning and visiting friends and
relatives later in the day. It is customary for Muslims
to hold "open-house" for friends and relatives where
a wide selection of traditional Malay food is served.
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or Hari Raya Puasa is the most
significant festival for Muslims as it marks the end of the
fasting month. The day is most significant as it includes two of
the five tenets of Islam: to fast during Ramadhan, and to pay
zakat fitrahÑalms tax. After a month of fasting, Muslims
celebrate the first of Syawal, which is the 10th month of the
Muslim calendar, with joyous enthusiasm. By the eve of Hari
Raya Puasa, Muslims would have paid their alms tax which is
then distributed to the poor. Muslims usher in the day by the
morning prayers in mosques followed by visits to the graves of
the departed. It is also the time for the family reunions when
people gather to forgive and forget past quarrels. It is every
Muslim's religious virtue to ask for pardon on this day and
this is done in order of the family seniority. The festive mood is
reflected with the lighting of oil lamps. The lamps are lighted
from the 20th day of Ramadhan, the night when the Koran
was sent down, right through the actual day of Hari Raya
Aidilfitri itself. All mosques, homes, government and
commercial buildings are decorated and brightly lit to mark
the significant day. The celebrations last a month and although
the first three days are celebrated on the grander scale, many
Muslims hold "open-house" throughout the month to
accommodate friends.
A religious festival, the birthday of
Prophet Muhammad is known to
Muslims as Maulud Nabi. Prophet
Muhammad was born on 12
Rabiulawal Ñ the third month of the
Muslim calendar in 570 AD. It was
only after his death that Muslims
began celebrating his birthday to
remind them of Prophet's fight to
spread and uphold Islam. His
birthday is celebrated with lectures
and the recital of verses from the
Holy Koran.
Done by
Goh Kok Lin
Ang Wee Sheng
Neo Hui Yu
Kuah Guo Ren