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Finally after one month of puasa, we will be able to celebrate Hari Raya Puasa with our family and friends tomorrow. I’m always very appreciative that Malaysia is a multi-cultural country so even though I’m not Muslim, I’m still able to learn from my Malay friends about what this day means to them and to participate in it (albeit not the fasting part, I think I’ll faint on the first day! Haha). Well, let me tell you what I’ve learned so far. I’ve learnt that you can experience Hari Raya through your 5 senses but I’ll just highlight 3 that left a deep impression on me.

(Photo thanks to zaido)

1. Sight -  Let’s not even talk about the Ramadan bazaars which are brightly lit and full of colours and thronged with people. Just the simple sight of lights and decorations strung across roads and homes are beautiful enough. That’s one thing I really love seeing during this time of the month. Not to forget the jewel-coloured Baju Melayu and Baju Kurung you see on the streets! I find it so heartwarming that families would wear the same coloured bajus when they are together. It really shows the close ties between the family members.
2. Taste – When we talk about festivals, how can we forget the food? It was during this time that i tasted my first date (the fruit! Fruit! Not human kind. ). A very simple dried fruit used for buka puasa, but it was so fragrant and sweet when chewed on slowly. All the different shaped cookies and kuih-muih are great too but I have to admit the dishes I look forward to every Hari Raya are my friend’s mom’s Ayam Masak Merah and a pineapple dish. I’m very certain it’s not the Pajeri Nenas but for the life of me, I can never remember its name! I only know that the pineapples are fried with onions, chili and cinnamon; but no coconut milk. So if you know what dish I’m talking about, tell me its name!
3. Touch – The Muslim style of “handshake”, or salam, and kissing the hands of older persons as a sign of respect while asking for pardon is one of the most beautiful physical gestures. I think this is something we should learn. We all get a warm fuzzy feeling when people gives us hugs or even just a simple handshake with strangers. So can you imagine how our loved ones will feel if we greet them that way? It is just a simple way of showing love and respect to each other.

(Photo thanks to Farid Iqbal)

Hari Raya Puasa is a time to forgive and forget for our Muslim friends. But for us non-Muslims, I think we have a lot to learn from this time too. So everyone, Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!