Suasana Hari Raya

As the song goes, "Berlalulah sudah Ramadhan, sebulan berpuasa". The time came for us muslims to celebrate our victory. We did it. We got through the fasting month, and fulfilled our obligations, and we are rewarded with Hari Raya, or Eid Mubarak to everyone else.

Raya eve was celebrated by hanging out with friends eating kuih raya that Safwan's mom sent over from Malaysia, and playing video games till it was 3 in the morning. Eating those homemade kuih felt good, and fueled the Raya spirit. Can't wait for the day ahead, where good food awaits....I hoped.

Woke up, showered and got ready for the day ahead, I donned my baju melayu only semi-complete, because I had the sampin on, but not a songkok, which I regretted not bringing. Got Iylia, and we made our way to RSO, where all of us decided to meet up so that everyone had a ride to the town Masjid for Solat Raya.

I told everyone to be at the RSO at 7, but even I arrived at 7.15, and the rest at 7.35. This was expected, kata Malaysians. So, around 7.40, all of us convoyed to the Masjid in town. When we arrived, we saw the other muslims, all dressed up in either traditional costumes, or suits. Dressing up your best for Hari Raya, is one of the components in the guidelines of what to do on Hari Raya....something I read on LSG's blog. After parking the car, we headed towards the masjid, and was relieved that we were not late, as they were still reciting the takbeer Raya.

The takbeer raya for me was one of the things that made me miss Raya back in Malaysia, as the way it sounds here is different. Yes its the same words, but the way they recite it, its very flat, monotonous compared to the takbeer in Malaysia where we do it with flair and with a certain amount of "lenggok" if I may. After the takbeer was over, and the Imam gave his final announcement, it was time for the Solat Raya.

The Imam proceeded with the Khutbah Raya, which was good, and not too long. After he recited the final doa, everyone got up and embraced each other wishing each other "Eid Mubarak brother". We even had photo sessions with the Omanis whom we have grown closer throughout Ramadhan, smiles and laughter everywhere. All in the spirit of Raya.
After 15 more minutes of photo sessions, we got back to our cars and proceeded to Kak Hafsah's house. She is a Singaporean lady that has lived in New Zealand for 16 years if i'm not mistaken, and has invited us to makan at her house. Yaay..my first open house of my first raya away from my family, but most importantly, good raya food. And the food did not dissapoint. All the essential hari raya food was there for us to pick and enjoy. We were there for about an hour, which was equivalent to 3 rounds for me. I wanted more, but the tummy did not permit, as it was the first time in a month that it is consuming midday. Besides, we had another open house after that. After everyone had their share of the good food and hospitality of Kak Hafsah, we said our raya greetings, goodbyes and appreciation to her, and made our way to the next open house.

The next open house was actually a joint open house by the Malaysian Post-Graduates from Massey, but was held at Abang Zabidi's house. When we arrived, it was more of a Malaysian open house feel as there were little kids running around, lagu raya in the background and people laughing and enjoying the food. The best thing about this open house was they satay, as I had not had satay since Malaysia. Everyone was mingling around, and the spirit of raya was definitely there. True, it is not the same without our families, but its raya nonetheless when good people, and good food is around you.

After an hour or so, people started leaving, and so did we. We were one of the last groups to leave, and after saying our raya greetings, and goodbyes we went home and I think pretty much everyone slept off the good food we consumed that afternoon. I waited till 3 PM and called Mak to wish Hari Raya, and talked to Abang as well. Thought they were already at Opah's but no, Kak Yang was only just getting ready. So I asked Mak to tell Kak Yang to call me later. I then called my Opah's house, and wished my aunty, who then put the phone to Opah's ears and so I wished my Opah as well. She responded with a laugh which was good enough for me. She looked well in the pictures Abang Izad posted on Facebook, so I was happy.

Kak Yang finally called later when I was sleeping, and also got to talk to Kak Intan , Abang Izad and Kak Nani, who asked me "Shah, do you miss us?" which I replied, "No, I miss Mamak's more"....

That night it was another open house, which was actually like any other potlucks that the Malaysians have at Rotary Court, but now we had lagu raya in the background. Good food again, good company and more pictures. This was a good first day of raya, especially for my tummy.

Next day, another open house, this time at Kak Ida's place, a Sarawakian who is a lecturer at IPC. Her house is in Kelvin Grove which is like 10 minutes outside Palmy, and we actually got lost for a 20 minutes searching for her house. I don't wanna repeat myself, but good food again.

So, that was raya in New Zealand for me basically. The following is a video I made in an hour. Nothing special, but just wanted to do one because in youtube all the other students that study overseas in other countries have one, so I also wanted one.






So, every year, I look forward to this day of joy and forgiveness, for various reasons, which includes the Hari Raya food, but mainly because it brings people together. I love Hari Raya because it gives my family a reason to gather together and forget everything for one day and forgive and forget while eating good food. I probably mentioned good food too many times in this post, and I apologize for that. Lucky for me, it is Raya, So Selamat Hari Raya, mintak maaf, mintak ampun, zahir & batin, for any mistakes that I have intentionally or accidentally made.

Again, Salam Aidilfitri, from me in New Zealand, to anyone who is reading.

Month of Ramadhan, di bumi Kiwi

When students study overseas, people back home always think they will neglect their obligations, obligations like fasting. I however don't get why that is, because I find it hell of a lot easier to fast here than in Malaysia. True, when you are overseas, there are no Islamic departments who are gonna catch you when you don't fast, there are basically no other muslims that will look at you funny when you don't fast, but of course like everything else we do, god knows, god always knows...

I admit, I am not the most pious of men, but I always try my best to make Ramadhan meaningful. It is such a special month, and a chance for all muslims to become better muslims. As I have said, fasting here in the land of sheep is really not hard, easier than in Malaysia. Here, the weather is cold, and we don't sweat, and therefore thirst is less. I even go on with my weekly football match, not at full force of course, but I wouldn't try that feat in Malaysia, Also, I played in a handball tourney while fasting. So really, no excuse not to fast, really other than that student herself or himself that want to or not.

As for the understanding of what fasting is amongst the kiwi's and my other non-muslim friends, they're pretty cool about it. They ask questions about it, and ask how we can function without food and stuff. After I explained, they understand better, and eventually fell that its not that bad. They think that its no food or drink for the whole day.

Probably the most challenging thing fasting here is the people here won't cover if they want to eat, because they don't have to. People in Malaysia, the tolerant ones that is usually try their best to not to eat in front of their muslim friends, but here, you cannot blame them really. Its not their culture to do so, and so we have to accept it as a test during Ramadhan, part and parcel of fasting.

As for buka puasa, I am thankful that the surau here at Massey holds break fasts every Monday till Thursday, where the Omani Students Associations donates food for iftar, and bloody good food if I may add. We eat "talam" style, where they put rice and meat on a single tray, and a group of 5-6 eats off it simultaneously. I can safely say, Malaysians are the champions when it comes to food, as we are always the last to finish, due to us having second servings all the time. "Masyallah Malaysians" one of the Omani brothers said as he saw how spirited we are when it comes to eating, smaller sized than them, but eat 3 times as much.

As for the weekends when there are no iftar available at the surau, there are always friends that invite me over to their place to eat. First week it was the Rotary Peoples, second week Imran's crib, 3rd week the MUMSA buka puasa event, and 4th week it was Safwan's crib. Alhamdulillah, all my ramadhan cravings were met, including teh tarik which I made myself, but not as "KAW" as the mamaks do, but ok lah.

So after 4 weeks of fasting, which went pretty fast, my first Hari Raya away from home comes along.