Ramadan and Hari Raya: A Month of Faith Culminating in Joyous Celebration

MalaysiaSociety
Written By Victor Raab-Hubertus Corrado Von Tiele-Winckler

During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Malaysian Muslims fast from dawn to sunset for 30 days, promoting spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and community cooperation. In Malaysia, fasting lasts from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM, depending on dawn and sunset schedules. During this time, Muslims abstain from food, drink, smoking, and other physical demands, focussing on spiritual development, prayer, and charity.

Malaysians eagerly await the announcement from the Penyimpan Mohor Besar Raja-Raja (Keeper of the Rulers' Seal) that Ramadan has begun, based on verification from observation stations across the country. Daily life adapts: many restaurants and cafés remain open, but with reduced seating or curtained spaces for privacy, to accommodate people fasting. Non-Muslims show solidarity by refraining from eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours due to cultural considerations.

As the evening comes, families and communities assemble for buka puasa (iftar)—breaking fast together. Islamic tradition dictates that meals begin with dates and water, followed by lavish spreads of bubur lambuk (savoury porridge), rice dishes, and kuih-muih (traditional sweets). Ramadan Bazaars (temporary street markets) provide typical Malaysian cuisine, including satay (grilled pork skewers), murtabak (stuffed pancakes), lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo), and refreshing drinks like air kathira. These bazaars provide a joyous, sensory-rich environment in which communities may shop, socialise, and rejoice together.

During Ramadan, spiritual rituals intensify. Every night, Muslims gather in mosques for tarawih prayers, which promote togetherness and devotion. Many people practise tadarrus (reciting the Quran) and attend religious seminars to strengthen their faith. Muslims consider the last ten nights, known as Lailatul Qadar (the Night of Decree), to be very auspicious and bring them tremendous blessings.

Ramadan ends with Eid al-Fitr, a one-to-two-day festival that can last up to a month, marking the conclusion of fasting. Eid begins with early morning prayers in mosques, followed by the practice of "bermaafan"—seeking forgiveness from parents, elders, relatives, and friends for previous wrongdoings, exchanging greetings of "Selamat Hari Raya" and "Maaf Zahir dan Batin" (forgive me for any wrongdoings). Families wear traditional baju kurung, baju Melayu, or kebaya, homes are decked with lights and ketupat-shaped lanterns, and extravagant feasts include ketupat (rice cakes), rendang, lemang, and serunding.

Malaysia's "Muhibbah" spirit (friendship, tolerance, respect, and understanding) is embodied by the "open house" tradition, which is now also practiced by Indian and Chinese communities during festivals. This tradition involves welcoming friends, relatives, and strangers into homes with food and hospitality. Hari Raya symbolises Malaysia's multicultural peace, with non-Muslim Malaysians visiting Muslim friends' open houses to share in celebrations that transcend religious borders and promote Malaysian society's togetherness and variety.

Sources

Victor Raab-Hubertus Corrado Von Tiele-Winckler
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