(a) A time my family celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri...
On the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Muslims go to the mosque early in the morning to conduct their "Hari Raya Prayers". I remember quite vividly a time when I went to the mosque with my father to do the prayers on Hari Raya morning that particular year. After praying, among many others, led by the Imam (the leader), he will then give a "khutbah", which is a short sermon. Following that, as my father drove me home from the mosque, he explained to me the importance of this day in Islam and told me the history behind it. It was a one memorable experience as it was my first time going to the mosque on Hari Raya to conduct the prayers among others. I was glad as I could finally understand the true meaning behind our Hari Raya celebration.
Upon reaching home, I had a whiff of the wonderful aroma of my mother's special dishes. My two sisters and brother were eagerly gathered around the table awaiting our return. It is a form of respect where we wait for all family members to be present before we start our meal. However, following tradition, we first exchange dishes with our neighbours.
After getting dressed in our best traditional clothing, we then proceed to our grandmothers’ and great grandfather’s houses. It is in our culture and tradition that we visit the eldest generation in our family as a gesture of respect. We have a great family gathering with all our relatives; aunts, uncles, cousins, and everyone brought over their own dishes to be shared. We merrily eat and joke with one another. This gathering helps to foster a closer bond among the relatives and having a more rewarding relationship with one another. For me, it helps me understand my family and relatives better, especially my cousins whom all shared their own personal experiences and made the day enjoyable. We visit till night dawned on us.
This Hari Raya experience really made me learnt many things, be it about my own culture, tradition and roots and also fostering better relationship. It helps inculcate in me different values and I am thankful to have such a wonderful family.
(b) The difference between Jess's family during a festival and my own's
During Hari Raya, I celebrated the joyous festival with my family happily until late at night. We are able to foster a closer bond and to have good relationship with our family. We try our best not to spoil the joyous mood.
Unlike us, Jess and his family celebrated Christmas in a different way. Early in the morning, they had an enjoyable time unwrapping their gifts. However, Jess felt that the present was useless, but he did not show his disappointment and instead expressed his thanks to his father. On the other hand, when the same realization dawned on the father, the father got annoyed at the toy that he gave to Jess and kicked the floor violently. Then, Jess’s sisters both were not happy with the gifts that they received from one another. This portrays their selfishness and ingratitude. That was how their celebration ended; they instead got on with their mundane daily routine-Jess was asked to milk the cow.
Muhd Syafiq (38)
2e7
a)My family and I celebrated Hari Raya Puasa every year.I like this festival because I can meet my relatives and ask for forgiveness.I also can collect money.I realy enjoy this day because I can bond together with my family.We can increase our relationship with each other.It is very important because by doing so,we can know if one of our family members has a problem.We visit my grandmother on both sides,my father's and mother's.Before this special day,we have to prepare and it takes alot of effort.We will clean the house up to one in the morning.We keep awake by supporting each other.All the hard work pays off when people come and enjoy themselves.I really like to see people smiling.After a tiring day,we would enjoy ourselves by going to a restaurant to have our dinner.We would get ready for the upcoming day.
b)Jess did not enjoy Christmas like how many people do.He faces financial problem.His sisters are very selfish.They only think about themselves.Jess cared about Leslie and bought her a puppy.Leslie who was richer gave something expensive to him.Jess feels happy.In SINGAPORE,we are very fortunate to have cars and enough money.Jess had a hard time.I enjoyed my self because we are very lucky.We should not take advantage of this and just appreciate it.
Muhd Danial =)
2E7
Assignment (A)
Last year, my family and I had celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri. We have celebrated Hari Raya Aidilfitri the previous years too, since we are all muslims. During the fasting month, Ramadhan, my family had went to Geylang to browse through cheap items and searched for the cloths and accessories for our house. During that year of Hari Raya, my family chose not to wear cloths of the same colour. We all reused the baju kurung from the last year except for me, I bought a black baju kurung and a pair of jeans for that year of Hari Raya. We also had repaint our house. The living room, parent's room and my sister are blue. But, my room is red.
That day of happiness, I had woke up at 6, showered and ready for the prayer. My dad and I went to Ghufran Mosque while my mum and sister prepared the food. After the prayers, we went back home at 9, and we ate breakfast as a family. I asked forgiveness from both my parents and sister and got about $18. At first i cried, but later cheered up after we took photographs. Next, we went to my grandfather's house where my aunties were. Then to the next house. Every house we visited, we took photographs to remember the moment we had during that festive month. It was a fantastic year to remember. Assignment (B)Jess and his family did not celebrate Christmas like how other people do. His family is facing financial problems and so, could not afford expensive presents. Both his sisters are very selfish as they only think about their own. During Christmas, Jess had bought her a puppy, which was free. While Leslie had bought watercolours for him, which is considered expensive. Jess felt overwhelmed. Compared to how we celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we had celebrated it as a family. My family is not as poor as Jess'. We had a wonderful time as what we wanted, is what we get. But we should not take it too lightly as we might get poor one day. Enjoy the moments you have with your family before any of them left.
Muhammad Faiq (36)
2e7
Assignment (A)
My family celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri every year without fail.This occasion is about asking for forgiveness and peace from our family members and relatives.On the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri,the muslims will go to the mosque to perform the Aidilfitri prayer.After that,we will go home and put on our colourful clothes,the baju kurung.After that,my siblings and I asked for forgiveness from our parents beginning with my eldest brother,my sister,my second sister and finally me.All of us shed tears.After all those forgiving is done,all of us cheered up and took a family picture.After that we went to my father's uncle's house.There,many of my relatives met up.We ate traditional food together for example the lontong,rendang,ketupat and many more.They were delicious.After that,when it was time to leave,we,kids,got our green packets.That's the part where all of the young ones love the most.We took photos to keep it as a momento.The first day of Hari Raya is always the best day of the whole event.It is when all the relatives reunite and develop a closer family bond.I can't wait for the next Hari Raya!!!
(B)
I noticed that Jess does not have a close family bond during his festive season.Compared to mine,my family has a very close bond.
Alfi Khair (31)
2E7
During Hari Raya Aidilfitri, muslims are to pray at the mosque by 8. After the prayer, we are to hear the 'khutbah' or advice and stories from the imam - leader in the prayer. Then, back home, the young ones will ask for forgiveness from their parents and grandparents if they are still alive. We will then hope to meet again the next year. When we asked for forgiveness, we get a small amount of money from our parents. Then, taking photos of the celebration in that year is common for all families. This is for them to remember the moment they had together during the wonderful month. Then, the family will go visit the other relatives house to ask for more forgiveness and for the children, more money.
During Hari Raya Aidiladha, muslims are to pray at the mosque, same as during aidilfitri. But after the advice from the imam, they will slaughter the goat which have been beared outside the mosque a few days ago. Most of the goats are imported from Australia. The goats that are to slaughter should not be injured. It is said that every goat a man has sacrificed, he is closer to god. Then, the person who have sacrificed the goat, he will donate most of the meat to the poor while he keeps some for his family. In Hari Raya Aidiladha, families do not visit much relatives, only the close ones.
Assignment (A)
Last year, my family and I celebrated Hari Raya Puasa. My family consists of my mother, father, sister and myself. We wore matching-coloured 'baju kurungs'. They were yellow. We woke up early and got ready. We then took pictures as a family together at home. We seeked forgiveness from each other and gave each other hugs. Mum and dad both gave my sister and I green packets containing money. There was a strong bond between my parents and I.
We then left the house. We went to my grandparents' house. We went there by car. There were 'kuih' readied on the dining table when we reached our grandparents' house. My favourite 'kuih' was 'kuih tat', or pineapple tart. The pineapple tarts were made by my grandmother. They tasted extremely delicious. My uncles and aunts were there too. We chatted for a few minutes and got ready to go to the next house. The elder ones gave the younger ones green packets. That was my favourite part of Hari Raya Puasa. Of course, being a younger one, I had to thank them.
We left and went to the next house. And to the next house, and to the next house. At each house, my sister and I gobbled up the food that was readied on the table and collected green packets. We went to many of our relatives' houses. By then, my pockets were stuffed with green packets. I made sure I did not drop anyone of them.
It was getting late. My family members decided to go back home and rest for the next day. When we got back home, I counted how much money I collected so far. The amount I got pleased me.
Assignment (B)
I can see that Jess's family were not very close and bonded but they allowed Leslie to come to join them for Easter. I felt a close connection with my family and we did not have any outsiders joining us during Hari Raya Puasa.
Mahathir (33)
2e7
