As Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations entered its fourth day, celebrants started to return back to work after a three-day public holiday, while some have taken additional leave until the weekend.
“Time really flies. I felt we were just fasting and suddenly it’s Syawal. Day one was hectic with family visits and the next thing you know, we are already in our fourth day of the festivities and I still need to catch up with lots of family visits,” Haji Raffee bin Haji Yussof said.
For him and his family of eight, it has been a joyous and lively celebration compared to the previous years. They said they were among those looking forward to the moon sighting as they have made preparations well in advance.
“What excited us about this year’s Hari Raya is our new house, it means less work on preparations as everything is still new and tidy. We were also looking forward to having our families and neighbours visit us and we have been entertaining guests all day until yesterday.”
While fellow Bruneian friends have gone for a short return home to celebrate, Fakhrullah bin Abdullah Ahmad Fadzillah, a Bruneian studying at Management and Science University (MSU) in Kuala Lumpur shared that celebrating Raya in Malaysia has been an eye-opening and heartwarming experience.
As a Bruneian studying far from home at MSU, he was embraced by the warmth of his local Malaysian friends who welcomed him into their celebrations.
“While there are differences in culture and traditions, the essence of Raya – togetherness, gratitude and joy – remains the same. Living here is certainly different from Brunei, but moments like these make it feel like a home away from home.”
Meanwhile, fellow Bruneian student at the same university, Muhammad Fatnin Al Waie bin Wadi also shared the same sentiment, saying that their Raya experience over the past few days in Malaysia has been incredibly exciting, filled with joyful reunions, delicious feasts and vibrant celebrations that made every moment unforgettable.
Syasya binti Sulaiman is happy to be able to celebrate Raya this year with her loved ones unlike last year where she did not have the opportunity to return home. This time, the visit heals her heart and brings a sense of belonging.
“Being surrounded by family during Raya reminds me of the warmth and joy that this festive season brings while filling the emptiness I felt last year. It’s a reminder of the importance of connection and shared traditions.” – Lyna Mohamad
