Kembara PLUS - 2013 August

FEATURES
F ESTIVAL
Tips to hold an
open house
on a modest budget
OF BREAKING OF THE FAST • Don’t invite all your guests all at the same
time. Stagger their arrivals by categories
Aidil Fitri, also called Feast of
Breaking the Fast, the Sugar
Feast, the Sweet Festival
and the Lesser Eid, is an
important religious holiday celebrated
by Muslims worldwide that marks
the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy
month of fasting.
The religious Eid is a single day and
Muslims are not permitted to fast
that day. The holiday celebrates the
conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of
dawn-to-sunset fasting during the
entire month of Ramadan. The day of
Eid, therefore, falls on the first day of
the month of Shawwal. This is a day
where Muslims around the world try
to show a common goal of unity.
Eid al-Fitr was originated by Prophet
Muhammad s.a.w. According to certain
traditions, these festivals were initiated
in Madinah after the migration of
Muhammad from Mecca. When
the Prophet arrived in Madinah, he
found people celebrating two specific
days in which they used to entertain
themselves with recreation and
merriment. He asked them about the
nature of these festivities at which they
replied that these days were occasions
of fun and recreation. At this, the
Prophet remarked that the Almighty
has fixed two days [of festivity] which
are better: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
For Muslims, both the festivals of Eid
al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are occasions
of showing gratitude to God and
remembering Him, and are an occasion
of entertainment. ‘Aishah narrates
that when on an Eid day her father
Abu Bakr stopped young girls from
singing, Muhammad said: Abu Bakr! Let
them sing; every nation has an ‘id and
[this day] is our Eid.” Muslims are also
encouraged on this day to forgive and
forget any differences with others or
animosities that may have occurred
during the year.
It is customary for workers in the
city to return to their home town to
celebrate with their families and to ask
forgiveness from parents, in-laws, and
other elders. This is known as balik
kampung (homecoming).
f.eg. family in the morning, friends and work
colleagues in the afternoon and neighbors
at night
• Have one or two main heavy dish only so
that you can easily prepare/reheat as the
need arises and you do not over-stretch
yourself and your budget
• Offer several desserts (cookies, traditional
cakes, fruits) and snacks (nuts, crackers) as
most guests would have come from other
open houses too and would not be too
hungry
Do’s and Don’t’s
As a guest to a Malay Muslim home during Aidil Fitri, here are some useful tips to observe:
1Attire is important. Avoid visiting in
shorts, ripped jeans, sleeveless tops
or skimpy dresses as anything that is
revealing for both males and females is
a taboo and your host will view this as a
sign of disrespect
Although the idea of an open house
2 is to welcome guests, this does not
necessarily mean that guests should enter
the home as they please. It is polite to
knock on the door at first upon arrival or
if the door is open then at least call out
to allow the host to receive you
3Upon entering the house, the guest
will usually take off their shoes as a
sign of respect to the host and his home.
You don’t have to worry about hygiene
as the floor would be clean especially for
open house occasions
4Shake your host’s hand (Salam)
but please also take not that Malay
women do not shake hands with men
in accordance with Islamic practices.
However some are quite open enough
and don’t mind. So if a women doesn’t
response just take you hand back. A
smile and a nod of acknowledgement
with a polite conversation between men
and women are sufficient.
5By eating just a slice of cake or biscuit
will fulfill a Malay host’s sense of duty
to feed a guest, so you don’t have to stuff
yourself in order not to offend your hosts,
it is unnecessary. It is good to take the
food nearest to you first
6During an open house, it is common
to serve the guest with soft drinks
but if you are watching your sugar intake,
do feel free to ask for a glass of water
instead. It is not impolite and they will
happily fulfill your needs as long as it is
not excessive or alcoholic.
7When receiving drinks or food, always
receive it or take it with your right
hand.
8Bringing gifts or ‘Buah Tangan” is
unnecessary during Hari Raya as a
guest’s presence in the home is already
very much appreciated.
9Some houses will give green packets
(money) to children, which should
be received with the right hand or both
hands.
As throughout the day, a Malay
10home will receive many guests, it
is best not to loiter or overstay your
welcome even though the host may insist
that you stay longer.
Try to avoid coming to your friend’s
11open house during prayer times. This
will allow the host to observe the five
daily prayers.
• Use disposable ware for cups and plates
and cutlery so you do not have to spend
time in the kitchen later to wash a
mountain of dishes! Better to be out there
entertaining your guests instead
• Decorate your house with fairy lights for
that festive ambiance
• Prepare sufficient “duit raya” for the
younger kids and if you run out, have candy
in attractive bags to hand out so as not to
disappoint them
4 KEMBARA PLUS OGOS 2013