The reality of their children studying abroad and unable to return home this year, from breaking fast away from their families to ushering Hari Raya, stirs a range of emotions for most parents and family members. The nostalgia of family gatherings on the first day, visiting houses, and attending open houses intensifies these feelings.
However, modern technology enables global connectivity, offering ways to ease these feelings. Through video calls, individuals can still cherish the warmth of familial connections virtually, offering solace and a sense of belonging despite being apart.
Amid the blend of emotions, students also feel a sense of excitement in forging new traditions while celebrating in foreign lands, while still honouring familiar customs.
Being abroad presents an opportunity to immerse oneself in unique and diverse cultures, fostering understanding and appreciation among celebrants and non-celebrants alike.
Such an intriguing dialogue prompted a desire to hear their experiences of celebrating Hari Raya there.
From gathering with fellow Bruneian students and others to sharing meals and preparing traditional dishes, from adorning houses to donning festive attire, these activities help evoke memories of home and cultivate moments of joy.
A student abroad Hana Wafiyyah said, “Being away from home during Raya was unexpected for me when I first arrived in the United Kingdom (UK). While Raya is widely celebrated among Muslims here, there are unmistakable cultural distinctions.”
Having spent her entire life in Brunei, Raya held a special significance for Hana, signifying cherished time off, filled with gatherings in traditional attire, storytelling, and the creation of new memories with loved ones.
Despite the privilege of pursuing education abroad, she couldn’t help but yearn for the familiar Raya festivities she left behind.
“Even though we now have the convenience of calling and FaceTiming our family members during Raya, it can be challenging at times to juggle attending lectures on campus, tackling assignments during the very stressful spring semester, and finding the perfect time to call (especially considering time zones!),” she further shared.
And yet, despite the challenges of studying abroad during Syawal, Hana revealed she has formed meaningful connections with fellow Bruneian students in Manchester.
While it’s not the same as being home, gathering together at university, listening to Raya music to uplift the mood, and indulging in treats reminiscent of open houses (kueh raya), while reminiscing about their shared homesickness (and lamenting missed duit raya opportunities), fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among them.
Meanwhile, Bruneian students studying in Scotland Syasya and Elaine said, “Living away from home means missing out on cultural celebrations like Hari Raya with our families in Brunei.
“However, the Bruneian student community in the UK is tightly knit and interactive, with each major city or university having its own society.”
Syasya mentioned during this Hari Raya season, several societies took turns each year to host ‘open houses,’ welcoming students from neighbouring cities to visit.
This provided students the opportunity to dress in their favourite baju cara melayu and baju kurung, enjoy karaoke sessions, savour traditional Malay cuisine, and, most importantly, indulge in tapak kuda snacks.
“This year, we had the pleasure of joining an open house organised by students in Perth, Scotland. It was quite a journey – a four-hour bus ride (round trip) from Aberdeen, but it gave us that comforting ‘balik kampong’ sensation, celebrating the occasion with fellow students,” said Elaine.
“We savoured homemade beef rendang and satay, among other delightful dishes, while also relishing in the opportunity to socialise and bond with other students over our shared experience of celebrating Hari Raya abroad.”
Both Syasya and Elaine noted the host created a relaxed and hospitable atmosphere, reminiscent of attending an open house in Brunei. The familiarity, from seeing others in traditional Malay attire to conversing and joking in Bruneian Malay, gave them a sense of ‘home.’ It made the overall experience deeply personal and memorable for both of them.
“We’re thankful for the opportunity to share these experiences abroad with our BruScotland community and look forward to participating in more celebrations for upcoming events. Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin!”
Another student studying abroad is Ikhwan, and even though this is his second time celebrating Hari Raya away from home, it hasn’t deterred him or his fellow Bruneians from upholding time-honoured traditions.
Throughout the UK, whether they’re students or Bruneians working there, they gather together to celebrate, fostering a strong sense of community among them.
“It was quite emotional during my first experience last year, especially when I was doing FaceTime with my mother. However, this year feels less emotional since I briefly met them during Ramadhan when my family surprised me with a visit after performing umrah.”
Speaking about the celebrations, he mentioned Bruneians not only gather among themselves but also with other fellow Muslim students and friends. Most places usually host an open house at one focal house, including those in Ireland, Wales and Scotland, creating a warm, friendly, and lively atmosphere.
“This year won’t be my last year celebrating Hari Raya here, as next year will be quite hectic for me with attachments during the semester breaks.
“Hence, it will be another celebration here in Dublin. Insya Allah, I will be able to celebrate back home the following year, and thinking about it has made me excited a bit.”
For Najidah Rahman, celebrating Hari Raya abroad is always bittersweet. She’s thankful to have her friends around so they can celebrate together and make it feel like they’re back in Brunei.
“Attending multiple open house events also helped recreate the feeling of Raya back home, but nothing truly compares to spending Raya in Brunei,” she shared. – Lyna Mohamad
