The festive season arrives in summer: Malaysia’s Hari Raya!

Reporter Chen Zi-Yin / Comprehensive Report

Yesterday (3rd) was the first Sunday of Hari Raya for Muslims, drawing large crowds to Taipei Main Station where Muslims gathered, sat on the floor, and sang traditional songs. Unlike Taiwan’s traditional New Year, which is celebrated in the cold winter, Hari Raya takes place in the vibrant summer and marks the Islamic New Year. For Malaysia, where the majority of the population is Muslim, it’s the best time of year for visitors to experience the local culture.


▲ Malaysia’s New Year celebrations take place in the vibrant summer, featuring nationwide festivities and a dazzling array of delicious foods. (Photo provided by Tourism Malaysia)

In fact, the culinary extravaganza in Malaysia begins even before Hari Raya, during Ramadan. Throughout the month of Ramadan, Muslims around the world observe daytime fasting from sunrise to sunset to experience the hardships faced by those less fortunate. But as night falls, Ramadan bazaars across Malaysia serve up a rich variety of traditional dishes from different ethnic communities. The festive atmosphere, paired with the diverse and colorful cuisine, makes Ramadan bazaars a must-visit attraction for tourists. To celebrate the discipline of the fasting month, the nation erupts in joyous festivities during Hari Raya.

%Nai?Man... U... Pu... Lun... De... Yue... Sa..., ... Zai... Qi... Ge... Zhi... Lang... Chen... Shi... Yu... Xian..., ... Yi... Zhong... Zui... Duo... De... "Ba... Ge"... . (Ji... , ... Zai... Lang... Si... Qiang... Jiu... Ceng... Ti... Gong... )

"Fasting" is one of the Five Pillars of Islam (the Five Pillars being: Shahada [faith], Salah [prayer], Sawm [fasting], Zakat [charity], and Hajj [pilgrimage]). During Ramadan, Muslims in Malaysia abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until sunset to cultivate patience, tolerance, humility, and compassion. As such, Ramadan is a highly significant and sacred time of the year. During this period, the Malay community also commonly donates to or contributes money to charitable organizations to embody the spirit of caring for those in need. After a month of spiritual discipline, the most anticipated Islamic New Year—Hari Raya—arrives. On Hari Raya, homes are adorned with lights and decorations, and families prepare an abundance of delicious food to celebrate with loved ones. Influenced by the Chinese tradition of giving red envelopes during the Lunar New Year, Malaysian Muslims give out green envelopes called Duit Raya filled with money to younger family members, wishing them health and prosperity for the new year.