KUCHING: Eid al-Adha, more commonly known in Malaysia as Hari Raya Haji, is one of the most important days on the Muslim calendar.
It honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to God’s command.
This holy festival is commemorated with the sacrifice of a cow or goat, special prayers and exchange of gifts and greetings.
It also marks the end of the annual Hajj, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca.
New Sarawak Tribune spoke to a few Muslims here on what they would be doing on Hari Raya Haji.
This will be the first time Kedah-born Rozlin Rosmin is celebrating the occasion without her loved ones since moving to Sarawak.
The 26-year-old journalist shared how they welcomed Hari Raya Haji back in her hometown.
“In my hometown, Hari Raya Haji is not celebrated like Hari Raya Aidilfitri. We celebrate it in a very modest way. No new clothes but more to close family gatherings.
“There will be dishes like sup daging, sup tulang and bihun sup.
“Since I’m not going back to my hometown this year, I’m planning to cook some dishes such as rendang and so on,” she said.
Rozlin has been in Kuching for about two months now. She is really looking forward to see how the day is celebrated here.
Music executive Asyraf Hardy, on the other hand, has to work on the day.
His job calls for preparation of media content related to Hari Raya Haji but it is not stopping him from feeling the excitement.
“I am looking forward to eating lamb curry, beef rendang and lemang,” said the 37-year-old, who is also a singer-songwriter.
“I will be wearing a jubah during the day. Although it’s work related, I am participating in two qurban (livestock sacrifice) at Kampung Ajibah Abol and one in Samarahan.”
Although many celebrate Hari Raya Haji modestly, Siti Mariam Zanariah Ibrahim and her family will celebrate it with a bright and vibrant ambience.
The 32-year-old reporter said her friends and families would also be joining in the one-day celebration.
“We have already prepared (food ingredients) a week before to share festive meals with our friends and family.
“And we also will be wearing new clothes. Our outfit theme for this year is blue,” she said.
Meanwhile, 28-year-old Mohammad Abdul Rahim Dandan Setia has never experienced joining the qurban.
“But if given the opportunity, I would love to,” said Rahim, who works as a security officer.
He pointed out that Hari Raya Haji is the time for him and his family to spend time together other than to seek forgiveness.
He added that the celebration is usually more concentrated at the mosque.
When asked about his preparations, he said he had already started shopping for cooking necessities.
“You never know if the prices of essentials may go up due to shortage of supply.”
After the two-year absence due to Covid-19, radio announcer Nur Shafira Mohd Farid Perker said the qurban ritual would be different this time.
“I am going to participate in the qurban. I have already planned some dishes to make for the celebration and I am looking forward to it.”
