For most of us, Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a time spent with loved ones – visiting familiar faces and places we call home. It’s a celebration unlike any other, not just marking the end of Ramadhan, but also honouring bonds and forgiveness.
But for a few Bruneians this year, the atmosphere was different. They spent the final days of Ramadhan and the start of Hari Raya abroad.
The experience, to say the least, was eye-opening – a reminder of how deeply home shapes our celebrations, and how the spirit of Raya can still find us, even when we’re far from where our hearts feel most at peace.
For Amal Nadhirah binti Samsudin, this year’s Raya was unlike any other. Her journey took her to Australia – an unfamiliar land, far from the comfort of home.
Although the time difference between Brunei and Sydney wasn’t too drastic, spending 10 days and nine nights abroad during the final stretch of Ramadhan and into the early days of Raya was, as she put it, “a journey worth telling”.
One of the first things she had to adjust to was the different time zone for breaking fast. Fortunately, her accommodation in Sydney was strategically located – halal food was just a short walk away, making iftar relatively stress-free.
Still, there were moments that reminded her just how far she was from home. Back in Brunei, the call to prayer – azan Maghrib – echoes through the air, signalling it’s time to break fast. In Sydney, the silence in those moments was a stark contrast.
As Raya began to draw near, Amal found herself picking up on the subtle differences between her experience abroad and what she had always known back home in Brunei.
In the Sultanate, she would hear Raya songs playing in almost every shop, and see the green, shimmery Hari Raya decorations hanging everywhere.
Instead, the build-up to Raya in Sydney was much quieter, more subdued. Yet, in its own way, it was just as meaningful. Exploring a new country and engaging with the warmth of the locals left a strong impression on her.
“However, experiencing Ramadhan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri away from home has established a deep-rooted sense of appreciation for my own culture and tradition. Opening my eyes to the beauty of diversity and uniqueness that every country has to offer.”
Meanwhile, for Haji Zulhilmi Dato Jaidin, the experience was a journey of the heart. He spent both Ramadhan and Syawal in the holy city of Makkah, performing his umrah pilgrimage – a spiritual undertaking that made this year’s Raya especially profound.
“Alhamdulillah, I was blessed with the opportunity to perform umrah during the holy months of Ramadhan and Syawal this year, a journey that left an unforgettable experience that will forever be etched in my heart. I have always wanted to experience fasting in the last 10 nights of Ramadhan and celebrate Raya in Makkah and Madinah.”
The moment Haji Zulhilmi arrived in Madinah, he felt a peace that words could barely capture. There was a quiet serenity in the air – the stillness of the city, the gentle rhythm of the azan, the soft hum of Al-Quran recitations drifting from every corner of An-Nabawi Mosque. Nights in Ramadhan were especially moving, with Sunnat Tarawih prayers drawing worshippers from all corners of the world. It was, he recalled, an experience that overwhelmed the heart in the best of ways.
He was deeply moved by the generosity he witnessed: people giving alms, offering food for iftar, and increasing their acts of worship with sincerity and devotion.
“I still remember the night of the 28th of Ramadhan,” he shared.
“An-Nabawi Mosque was overflowing. By Maghrib, the roads were already filled with pilgrims. Sunnat Tarawih and Sunnat Witir lasted until past 2am, but the energy that night – it was beyond words. It was one of the most spiritually uplifting moments of my life.”
On the morning of Raya, they left their hotel just after 4am – even though it was less than 200 metres from the mosque – but it was already too full. Along with countless others, they prayed on the road outside, joining in the quiet joy of Syawal. Though the celebration in Madinah was simple, it was filled with warmth. After the Raya prayer, the heartfelt echoes of Hari Raya rang through the streets, connecting strangers in faith and joy.
“Though I was far from home, we celebrated with Muslims from every corner of the globe, sharing smiles and prayers, the unity and spirit of the ummah made me feel like I belonged.”
They arrived in Makkah just before Maghrib, and later that night, after Isyak prayer, Haji Zulhilmi performed Tawaf under a canopy of stars. The weather was cool, the air gentle, and the energy of thousands moving together created a moment that was both powerful and humbling.
Two days later, his group performed umrah once again.
“For me it is not just an ordinary journey, it is a transformation and feeling calm with clearer purpose. The beauty of unity in Islam and the importance of intention in every act of worship,” he said.
“I pray that Allah the Almighty forgives our sins and grants every Muslim who wishes to perform haj or umrah the chance to visit Makkah and Madinah and may Allah the Almighty accept our haj and umrah.” – Lyna Mohamad
