BY NURFARAHIN OKI
KUCHING: While many revel in the joyous festivities of Hari Raya Aidilfitri with loved ones, there are individuals who mourn the absence of someone dear, unable to partake in the celebrations with them anymore.
For numerous Muslims, visiting the cemetery to pray for their departed loved ones either on Hari Raya eve or during the first day of Hari Raya is a solemn tradition.
It is regarded as a way to honour the memory of the departed and share in the spirit of the occasion together.
Speaking to New Sarawak Tribune, Fifiyana Abdullah, 55, shared her heartfelt sentiments as she visited her son’s grave, expressing sadness over spending five Aidilfitri celebrations without him.
“It is sad that I cannot celebrate Raya with him anymore. We not only visit his grave on Raya but twice a month.
“For this Raya, we come to his grave because we want to celebrate Raya with him too,” she said when met at the Tanah Perkuburan Islam Semariang (Semariang Islamic Cemetery).
Similarly, 25-year-old Annisha Syafiqah said she would normally visit graves of relatives, including her late friend, during Hari Raya.
“We visit them during Raya because it is a victorious day for Muslims after fasting for the whole month.
“Although they have left the world, we should at least visit their grave to show our gratitude,” she said when meet at the same cemetery.
She added that they often visit their graves on normal days but it just felt different visiting them during Hari Raya.
Emilia Safika, 24, when met at the Tanah Perkuburan Islam Muara Tuang (Muara Tuang Islamic Cemetery), said she is visiting her late grandfather’s grave – he passed away 10 years ago.
“It is compulsory for my family to visit the grave, not just during Raya, sometimes once a month.
“We come to clean their graves and to remember their passing.”
Emilia also acknowledged the difficulty of celebrating Raya without their departed loved ones, recognising that their absence leaves a void during the festive season.
