Eid Al Fitr 2013 – Lebaran – Hari Raya Celebrations

Eid al Fitr 2013 – Hari Raya Idul Fitri 2013 – Lebaran 2013 - Celebrations in South East Asia

The end of Ramadan, which is the Islamic holy month of fasting, is marked by the Muslim holiday called Eid Al Fitr, also called Eid. There are many names that people around the world call this day, it is known as one of the most important of the Muslims festivals. In the Malay countries of Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia, Eid al Fitr is sometimes referred to as Hari Raya, which literally means “Celebration Day” or “Big Day.” It is also called Lebaran, Aidil Fitri or Idul Fitri.

When is Eid Al Fitr 2013 or Lebaran 2013?

The date of Hari Raya / Lebaran / Eid Al Fitr 2013 will most likely fall on Thursday August 8th. but it will depend on local sightings of the various moon phases so this date is an approximation.

The Celebration of Hari Raya Eid al Fitr 2013

On the night before Eid al Fitr 2013, you can hear the sounds of the muezzin singing the takbir, which is either held in a mosque or mushollas. Some parts of the rural areas of Malaysia and Indonesia oil lamps, which are like tiki torches are lit and placed outside the house; these are also known by Malaysians as pelita, panjut or lampu colok. A kind of glutinous rice made into cakes and cooked in bamboo are special dished called ketupat, dodol, or lemang as well as other Indo-Malay, Malaysia and Nyonya delicacies are served throughout the day.

In Malaysia, it is common to greet each other with “Salam Aidilfitri” or “Selamat Idul Fitri,” which means “Happy Eid.” “Mohon maaf lahir dan batin” is a common greeting between Muslims in Indonesia and for Muslims in Malaysia the greeting is “maaf zahir dan batin,” which means “forgive my physical and emotional wrongdoings.” This is because Idul Fitri is also a time of atonement; asking for the forgiveness of sins, which were committed but cleansed during the fasting of Ramadan.

Balik Kampung 2013 / Mudik 2013

Known as a very large temporary human migration, the custom of Lebaran, where millions of migrants, go back to their city or hometown at almost the same time that cause heavy traffic jam every where in Indonesia. They back to hometown in order to ask forgiveness from their in-laws, parents and elders for any wrongdoing. This migration is called pulang kampung or mudik in Indonesia and balik kampung in Malaysia.

Hari Raya Eid Al Fitr 2013 / Idul Fitri / Lebaran in Indonesia

Known as having the largest Muslim population in the world, Indonesia’s Hari Raya Idul Fitri, which is also known as Eid or Lebaran, is a national holiday and usually last for up to two weeks but the exact date is determined by observation of the moon by the locals. Eid Al Fitr 2013 is also a public holiday for two days with another two or three days in which companies give holidays and another five days of forced leave time. Other than having days off Indonesia gives a legally mandated salary bonus for all employees for Idul Fitri and is known as Tunjangan Hari Raya.

Even though the Department of Labour, Employment and Society has mandated this salary bonus, it does differ according to the different provinces. For example, in the region of Jakarta, the bonus given by the THR must be at least Rp 1 million and not less than the equivalent of one full month’s salary, which is paid in advance of Idul Fitri; this is in addition to the employee’s regular salary. It is a very serious infraction of the THR labour law to withhold this bonus and can be severely punished regardless of the status of the employer or their position.

The Idul festivities, also known as Lebaran are the biggest holiday in Indonesia and a time when most businesses have their best sales. During the month of Ramadan/Puasa, bazaars and shopping malls are full of people for several days before Idul Fitri. This of course causes a festive atmosphere across the country with traffic jams and mayhem similar to what you might find in the US during the Christmas shopping season. Even though shopping malls and bazaars are open, government offices and most banks are closed for the whole Idul festivities.

For wealthier non-Muslims, having this holiday break allows them to “escape” to either Australia, Singapore or even to a local hotel in order to avoid not having a driver or maid service. Hotels in Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore have been very successful with their lucrative “escape packages” during the Idul Fitri or Lebaran.

Hari Raya Puasa / Aidil Fitri / Eid Al Fitr 2013 in Malaysia

Commonly known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Hari Raya Puasa or Hari Raya Idul Fitri in Malaysia. Puasa means “fasting” and refers to the month of fasting known as Ramadan, which comes before Idul Fitri. During the month of Ramadan, fasting is compulsory and requires Muslims to abstain from having any basic needs or urges every day between sunrise and sunset. It is considered one of the five tenets of Islam just like the paying of zakat or alms tax for the poor, which has to be tithed by the end of Ramadan.

When the new moon is seen on the last day of Ramadan in Malaysia by the state appointed religious officials, the fasting ends and if the following day the crescent is seen, that day is declared the first day of Aidilfitri, which signifies the beginning of the ten month Muslim calendar Syawal. This first day of Aidilfitri is celebrated by the Muslim community by gathering at mosques for morning prayers. People dress in their best traditional attire to mark the occasion, with men in their Baju Melayu and women in their Baju Kurung. After prayers, it is home to have breakfast with family and then a trip to the cemetery to clean the graves of deceased loved ones and offer prayers to Allah.

This time is also meant to forgive and forget past quarrels and forgiveness is done in order of seniority. It begins with the youngest family members going to their elders to ask forgiveness to salam, which is the Muslim equivalent of a handshake, then they kiss the hands of the elder as a sign of respect. The greeting given during the salam or handshake during Aidilfitri is “Selamat Hari Raya” meaning, “Wishing you a joyous Hari Raya.”
The elderly and children are given gifts of money or duit raya, in small envelopes but recently, some givers have chosen to adopt the Chinese practice of placing money in ang pow packets, but rather than the usual red color, the packets are green.

Hari Raya Puasa / Lebaran / Eid Al Fitr 2013 in Singapore

The first day of Hari Raya / Eid Al Fitr 2013 in Singapore is a public holiday and is celebrated by private sector workers and civil servants not required to work. The usual greeting in Singapore by Muslims is “Selamat Hari Raya,” which in Malaysian means, “Happy Eid.” In order to reconcile and renew relationships, the usual greeting is “Maaf Zahir dan Batin,” which means “I seek forgiveness from you spiritually and physically,” because that is part of what Hari Raya is all about. During the fasting month of Ramadan, everyone except for the very young or the very old must fast and most even abstain from sex and cigarettes during the daylight hours.

Ramadan bazaars or markets in many places in the country have Kuih and other traditional Malay delicacies to sell when breaking fast or buka puasa. Many hotels and restaurants have taken this a step further by offering exorbitant Ramadan buffets as their main attraction. Some excellent places to observe Hari Raya and prepare for the festival include the Kampong Glam and Geylang Serai, which are outdoor markets that light up during Hari Raya as well as different Mosque around Singapore. Hari Raya in Singapore is a peak travel destination and will very likely be books up during this time so making plans and booking your hotel in advance is strongly advised for Hari Raya Puasa 2013.

Hari Raya Aidil Fitri / Eid Al Fitr 2013 in Brunei

Located close to Malaysia and Indonesia, Brunei is considered a Muslim country and as such, Hari Raya is one of their most important holidays. Just like in other mostly Muslim countries, the month of Ramadan is spent in Brunei by fasting from food, drink and all other comforts from sunrise to sunset. The month of Ramadan in Brunei is very active with people setting up stalls to sell their traditional pastries, fruits, cakes all around the National Stadium as well as in Gadong. This is also a great time to find the best prices for local dishes and cakes.

In Brunei as it is in other Muslim countries, the end of Ramadan is Hari Raya and a time for celebrating. In the early morning, all people gather at all the mosque throughout the country for prayers. After the prayers, families gather to ask forgiveness from all their loved ones. From that day on, all Bruneian people will be dressed in traditional clothing of dashing colors and visiting with family and friends. The Bruneian people make special festive dishes for Hari Raya that include Ketupat or lontong, which is rice cakes in coconut or banana leaves, Satay, which is chicken, beef or mutton kebabs, Rendang, which is spicy marinated beef and many other delicious and tantalising dishes.

best greetings to you:
Selamat Lebaran | Selamat Hari Raya | Selamat Hari Raya Idul Fitri | Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitr |
Happy Eid Al Fitr 2013