Hari Raya for Malaysians have always been about visiting your relatives and friends, eating A LOT of kuih raya, ketupat and rendang, and collecting duit raya for the younger ones.
But this year is a little different due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), where interstate travels are banned and you are only allowed to celebrate Hari Raya on the first day with your closest family, and not more than 20 people per household.
Photo via Instagram (Persatuan Penduduk Bukit Setiawangsa)
In a video shared on Instagram by Persatuan Penduduk Bukit Setiawangsa (@ppbsw), a pickup truck was seen driving around the Setiawangsa neighbourhood, playing lagu raya through its speakers.
That’s one way to make sure that no one feels alone during Eid!
On the night of Hari Raya, the same pickup truck played takbir Hari Raya (a proclamation of God’s greatness), which is usually recited together on Hari Raya eve after Maghrib prayers and on the morning of Hari Raya before the Hari Raya prayers, by members of the community.
But since many mosques were closed and mass gatherings weren’t allowed, many opted to listen to the takbir on the radio or watch it live on the television this year.
The caption said: “It has been a tradition for us to visit every house for Marhaban (Praising of the prophet) every Raya eve. But this time, in following the SOPs, we are only allowed to get the pickup truck to drive around the neighbourhood while playing the Takbir.”
What a beautiful community, and a great way to keep the spirit of Aidilfitri alive during these difficult times.
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
