First time to Hari Raya 2015 Prime Minister’s Open House at Putrajaya.

As already explained in my previous post, we are very free and boring on this Raya holiday. We basically have nothing to do. My dad asked me if I would like to go anywhere. The first thing that came to my mind is ‘why not we go to Open House at Prime Minister’s residence in Putrajaya?’. It’s a great idea and everyone agreed. We have been to Raya open house before but never to the national-level ones. Since I roughly know the location and I’m quite familiar with Putrajaya, hence I’m the one driving. Once we reached there at about 11am+, the Seri Perdana Complex (official residence of Prime Minister) was already crowded with many people from all walks of life. Good to see that. It’s the One Malaysia spirit that I’m very happy of. No matter what races you are, you are welcomed…a very positive message behind the open house concept.

We had to queue and waited for about half an hour before we get to enter the lobby of the huge mansion. The tents and few fans couldn’t save us from being ‘melted’ by the glaring Sun and ‘squeezed’ by hundreds of people at once. While we are queuing, there is one Chinese (not sure whether he is Malaysian or Singaporean) clad in ‘baju kurung’ and commented to his friend that this is not a queue. There are so many lines and people just push and try to squeeze through unlike in Singapore where there would be lines in order and also special access for the disabled and elderly in the event of an open house like this. Then, his friend replied that ‘This is Malaysian culture ma….!’. Haha…agree with that statement.

Unfortunately, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife, Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor were not there when we were finally in the air-conditioned lobby. Where are they? I’m hoping that I could shake his wife’s hand so that maybe one of her rings drop off and I can get it unnoticed. Haha…joking…joking. Anyway, I still managed to shake hands with Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister of Defense, Datuk Seri Hishamuddin. There also some other ministers in the lobby at that time but I don’t really know who they are and I don’t even care of their presence. We were not given much time in there as there are many people behind us. After that, we were handed a box of biscuits and a small glass container as souvenir respectively.

Time to head for free lunch served nearby. A huge tent sheltering a stage, rows of served food and beverages, and chairs with many smaller tents around to occupy as many people as possible. There are a variety of Malay, Chinese and Indian food served (nasi briyani, chickens, lambs, curry puff, cakes, fruits, fried noodle, roti canai, satay, putu ayam, ketupat rice cake, ice-cream), but I have no mood to eat a lot because it’s too hot and crowded in there. It’s even so hard to find a chair to sit. We saw some people came here prepared with plastic or paper bags to take away the served food. Isshh…Bad actions…Some Malaysians would turn uncivilized once there are free stuff. And rubbish are everywhere. Haizz…

That’s the last picture of the day. Scenic view of the lake, Putra Mosque and Prime Minister’s Office Building. We left after spending about two hours in the complex. That is our first experience visiting the Hari Raya Open House by the Prime Minister at his official residence in Putrajaya. Too bad, couldn’t see him.

(Copyrights reserved to all the images in this post)

 

 

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Have a blessed 2015 Raya holiday…

I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely wish to all my Malay friends, Selamat Hari Raya Aidifitri!

I’m actually quite jealous of this festival because it gets early every year. The reason is that the Islamic calendar is shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the normal calendar we used which has 365 days a year (366 for leap year). Based on Islamic calendar, there is only 355 days a year (10 days lesser). That’s why Muslim’s festivals are arriving quicker every time, including this Hari Raya, the most festive celebration for them.

It’s really worth celebrating for them since they have to go through one month of fasting in the Ramadhan month. I really admire the effort of not eating or drinking for a whole day before evening. And that has to go on for a month long. If I have to practice it, I think I’m going to be very exhausted and have no mood to do anything for the whole month. I’m going to faint easily too as I always have to eat and drink a lot to keep myself energized for daily tasks. Bravo to all fasting Muslims. You are great. Actually it’s nice to do fasting as it helps to save money from skipping the lunch.

But hey…a week ago, I saw few Malay kids eating at a stair near a lobby in a shopping mall during the fasting period. Isn’t that wrong? I guess they are literally too hungry and decided to eat, hoping not to get caught by anyone since they are doing so in a corner like hiding. But I saw them. Oppss…a bit awkward as I looked at them for about 10 seconds and they knew it. Fortunately, I’m not Malay, if not, they would be scolded for being against the religious practice.

Anyway, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri once again! Wishing you to have a safe journey for ‘balik kampung’ (returning to hometown) for the celebration. As for the others whom are not celebrating, have a happy holiday! Enjoy the longer weekend break!

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

 

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!

Fireworks heard everywhere in my neighbourhood from days or even weeks before the Hari Raya celebration. It may be disturbing when some fireworks were set off on the late-night hours when most have already been sleeping, but it’s okay since their major festival is approaching and that it is normal to play fireworks to build up the festive mood. But isn’t fireworks are illegal in Malaysia? People still can buy it and play. Who cares….! If no fireworks, things would be too quite, and there wouldn’t be Raya atmosphere around.

The time has come. The Ramadhan month is over and the Muslims have successfully finished their fasting over this one-month period. I do really admire their faith and wisdom on Islam for being able to not consuming any food or drink in a lengthy period of time everyday for the past month. For me, I think I couldn’t stand the hunger and the thirst, as well as the lack of energy. Fasting is a good practice, and it somehow helps Muslims to save money too (skipping lunch everyday).

Anyway, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Muslim friends particularly in Malaysia a very wonderful and joyous Raya celebration! Selamat Menyambut Hari Raya Aidilfitri! Maaf, Zahir dan Batin. By this time, I believed many have already went back to their hometown (sudah balik kampung) safely. Time to gather, chill and celebrate together with your family, relatives, neighbours and friends on this wonderful festival! In the meantime, I’m sure KL would be quite empty except than seeing Chinese or Indians, and mostly foreigners wondering the streets nowadays. I’m currently on a short family vacation at Bali, Indonesia. Will be updating my blog with highlights from my Bali trip once I returned to Malaysia.

On the other hand, for other Malaysians who are not celebrating this festival, a big Happy Holiday greeting to you too! This week offers perfect opportunity for trip (like me), outings or simply rest at home after spending over half of the year working, working and working! Enjoy la….Many must be taking additional leaves up till the end of this week too. So, you would have over a week of break! Awesome!

Last but not least, I would like to sincerely wish every Malays once again ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!’.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web)

 

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri to all who are celebrating!

Good day everyone! I wish to take this opportunity to wish Muslims around the world ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ particularly to my Malay friends! ‘Maaf Zahir Batin’. May you enjoy the festival with happiness, warmth and joy together with your family, relatives and friends. This day also marked the end of fasting month (Ramadhan) to all Muslims practising it. I believed fasting is a very good practice. But I think I couldn’t make it longer than a week because I’m the kind of person that gets hungry or thirsty easily. 

By the way, I’m not in Malaysia currently as I’m enjoying my short trip to Cambodia during this Raya break. Hence, I’m not be able to surf the internet there (even if there is, it’s inconvenient) and so, I wouldn’t mind to tell you that this post is written few days earlier and is to be automatically published on this first day of Raya. Yes, you see…I have the heart or sincerity to wish my Malay colleagues, friends and my blog readers Happy Raya even when I’m away at this moment.

Many would have had a usual bad experience on major highways yesterday or earlier when many would be flocking back to their hometown to celebrate this wonderful festival with their most loved ones. ‘Balik kampung…ohh, ohh, ohh,…balik kampung!’. But no worry, at least you have reach safely to your destination. The most important is the calmness in such situation. For those who have not returned to hometown yet, I wish you to have a safe and pleasant drive home. Relax and enjoy the ride. There is no need to rush. Stay alert and positive all the time. 

Happy Holiday also to everyone else! It’s quite a long break, sufficient enough for you to get a break away from the school works or job. Go travel, relax and have fun. Feel free to attend Raya open house without pointing different races or religions. That’s One Malaysia spirit. Gatherings among relatives or friends would be a nice idea too. I’m taking this opportunity to travel oversea with my family. And that is why I’m at Cambodia now for a 5-days 4-nights trip. And I will be back by Sunday’s afternoon, which means that after the trip, I would have no more day to rest. The next day, I have to get back to reality; work! Forget about it first as now what’s on our mind shall be the fun and joy we can have from this Raya festival and break. 

Last but not least, I would like to wish ‘Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri’ once again to all Muslims celebrating it from the bottom of my heart.

(Images in this post are from various sources throughout the world wide web).

Selamat Hari Raya to all my Muslim friends!

Here I would like to take this opportunity to wish all my Muslim friends, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! May this Raya comes with full of love, peace and prosperity…

Balik kampung…oh,oh,oh…balik kampung…it’s a very famous tradition for majority of the Malays here in Malaysia to return to their hometown to celebrate this very big occasion together with their older family members back in village. It’s a good tradition. I believe it must be quite a good atmosphere having to celebrate Raya in ‘kampung’ (stands for village) environment which is much more friendly, happening and harmonious. But the journey back to hometown must be quite troublesome due to inevitable traffic congestion on highways caused as many people would be driving back also around the same time. May you have a pleasant and safe drive home.

Well, it’s also a good time to take a break from works and the busy city life, and to get ample of rest while enjoying the precious time with family, relatives and friends. For the other Malaysians not celebrating (like me, a Chinese), we would take this opportunity to send warmest greeting to our Muslim friends, visiting Raya bazaar or to attend open house if invited. If not, then we would still fill up this break with leisure activities, or even going for travel. Forget about work at this moment. Let’s give ourselves a rest! Even I can also feel the festive mood of this Raya celebration now as I heard multiple fireworks explosion everywhere from my home.

Muslims finally ended their fasting month and there arrived the first day of Hari Raya celebration for them today. May you enjoy this Raya festival to the max! Many would be taking a break this whole week long eventhough the public holidays only fall on Monday and Tuesday. Who doesn’t want to take this opportunity to take longer break right? But for me, I would be getting back to work this Wednesday. Hope that these few days wouldn’t pass quick. I believe most would think like mine too. Happy Holiday to everyone!

Last but not least, I wish to send my greeting once again to all Muslims around the world, particularly Malaysians; Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri for the year 2012! Maaf Zahir Batin…

(Image source: http://pamsabah.com/web/wp-content/uploads/Hari-raya-2012.jpg)

 

Salam Aidilfitri!

Selamat Hari Raya to all Muslims around the world, especially to my Malay friends, classmates and lecturers!

It’s a whole new year after a month of fasting!

A lot have returned back to village or commonly said, ‘balik kampung’ yesterday and this morning. It seems to be not much traffic congestion in areas around Kuala Lumpur, since many Malays will be missing in urban areas. It is time for them to return back to their origin hometown and celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with the elders and relatives. Even some Chinese are planning to go back hometown for this holiday!

It’s holiday for me and for all! That is why Malaysia is good in some points, A LOT OF HOLIDAYS! Since our nation is of many different races, so we have Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya Haji, Mooncake Festival (coming soon), Thaipusam, etc. So many holidays every year for us to enjoy!

Anyway, wishing every Muslims around the world, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir Batin! Enjoy the celebration!