Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims all over the world on of the first day Syawal (the tenth month of the lunar Islamic calendar). In Singapore, it is commonly refered to as Hari Raya Puasa.

“Hari Raya” means Celebration Day in Malay while “puasa” translates to “fasting”. It is also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

In Singapore, 23.4 percent of the population identify themselves as Muslims and 13.5 percent of residents are Malay (in fact, about 99 percent of Malays in Singapore are Muslims), according to the snappily titled 2020 Census of Population by the Singapore Department of Statistics. So most Eid celebrations in Singapore are largely rooted in traditional Malay or Indian Muslim traditions with strong Islamic foundations.

Muslims fast for a month prior to Eid during Ramadan (the ninth month of the Islamic calendar) from dusk till dawn. Fasting is one of the five pillars of Islam, and it done for atonement, to focus your mind on higher things and to express gratitude and empathy for the needy. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan and it is a day of celebration.

Because it’s based on a lunar calendar, back in the 1960s, the first day of Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore was determined by moon sightings. Your grandparents and elders may recall that announcements were made on the radio to declare when the new moon was sighted.

But today, authorities rely on astronomical calculations instead and the date for Hari Raya Puasa is known in advance every year. It’s published online and in the media.

On the first day of Hari Raya Puasa, Muslims in Singapore flock to the mosque in the morning (usually the mosque closest to their home) to offer special Eid prayers to commemorate the festival.

This is followed by a day of visiting family and relatives for the rest of the day in beautiful traditional Malay baju kurung, long tops worn by both men and women. Some women prefer to wear the more fitted kebayas, which can be hip-length or longer, depending on personal taste and what’s in style.

It is a popular practice for family units to be dressed in the same colour or pattern as they go about their visits – it’s a symbol of togetherness and unity. It looks so festive to see the whole family out and about dressed as a united team.

This practice of matching clothes has influenced other ethnic groups in Singapore, and now it’s more common to see Chinese families dressed in matching fabrics at Chinese New Year.

At each home visit, visitors are treated to a spread of delicious Malay food such as ketupat (diamond-shaped rice dumpling wrapped in woven palm leaves), lemang (pictured, cylinder-shaped glutinous rice wrapped in banana leaves), lontong (rice cakes served with coconut-based soup with vegetables) and rendang (spicy meat dish). Oh, and there’s always plenty of cookies and treats as well, often home-baked and all delicious.

After paying respect to their elders, children receive “duit raya” (which means festive money). This gift of money is presented in cute little colorful envelopes from adults. It is considered an act of charity to give “duit raya” to kids and the elderly.

The general consensus is that you no longer receive duit raya when you enter the workforce and you are expected to give duit raya when you become a working adult. There are no rules about how much to put in the envelopes either (the idea is to give from the heart), but generally the amount is higher if you are close to the kids’ family members.

Besides feasting, Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore is also a time for forgiveness and trying to live as a better person.

Family members seek forgiveness and blessings from each other, starting with the young ones approaching the elderly. It’s an emotional time, and you’ll often see a few (happy) tears.

In Singapore, Hari Raya Puasa is a public holiday for everyone for just one day, but celebrations go on within the Muslim community throughout the entire month of Syawal. House visits often continue on the weekends and sometimes even on weekday evenings. Feasting, seeking forgiveness, and giving duit raya are carried on during the whole month-long affair.

While the first day of Hari Raya Puasa is usually focused on visiting immediate family, the subsequent weeks are centered around visiting ever more distant relatives, colleagues and friends. For this reason, many Muslims love to update their home decor around Raya, splashing out on everything from fresh serving plates and new appliances to new carpets and curtains to make their home a beacon of welcome.

Did you know that Muslims have to pay taxes during fasting month? Announced by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore, annual taxes are to be contributed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan. As one of the five pillars of Islam, Zakat serves principally as the welfare contribution to poor and deprived individuals.

Those oil lamps that you see burning in movies or old TV dramas aren’t just for aesthetics. Back in the day, oil lamps known as pelita or panjut were lit from the 20th day of Ramadan to attract spirits and angels alike. Lighted lamps are also believed to bring blessings to people’s homes during the night of Lailatul Qadar. These lights continue to shine brightly until the end of the festival.

While people often buy lanterns for Hari Raya, it’s also increasingly common for children to make DIY craft lanterns with their parents. It’s a fun bonding activity to do as a family.

Some families begin the Raya celebrations by visiting the graves of their loved ones’ to pay their respects. Muslims wake up bright and early and go to the mosque to pray, then pay a visit to the graves of departed family members. Then it’s time to make house visits and enjoy some major feasting.

Text by Muneerah Bee, The Finder / Updated March 2022.