Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a festival that celebrates ‘Breaking of the Fast’ and is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims in Singapore.

Also known as Eid al-Fitr or Hari Raya Puasa, this festival marks the end of Ramadan. During this time, people visit friends and family to repair and renew relations through specially prepared meals.

This holiday is celebrated during the first day of the Syawal in the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. The Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a celebration that marks the end of one month of fasting. Local Singaporeans consider the day the biggest celebration day, and all Muslims celebrate it.

The day is a public holiday in Singapore and is marked by a huge range of food stalls being erected around the country where you can find food such as beef, rice cakes and sweets.

Most people who celebrate the day start before the first day. Muslims become excited and start to prepare their homes for the celebration, decorating their houses and shopfronts in the lead-up to the day.

On the morning of the set day, the faithful wear new clothing and visit the mosque to pray. Here, they thank Allah and ask for forgiveness from elders. They then return to their homes and visit friends and relatives. Many also visit the graves of their ancestors.

If you happen to visit Singapore during the month of fasting, you have a chance to experience one of the Malay people’s unique ethnic cultures in contemporary Singapore.