The Glorious Eid 2005

“Aidilfitri” or Eid is a celebration for Muslims after a month of fasting. Some non-Muslims were confused about the definition of fasting in Islamic way. However, I was pleased when some attempted to ask about this religious obligation. The fact that, for the purpose of fasting, we are not allowed to eat may be true, generally. But do not get too carried away with that simple statement. It might be misleading if it is only being understood from such a fact. The almost complete one would be that, fasting in Ramadan, the ninth month of the Muslim year, requires all Muslims to "fast" during the daylight hours (from sunrise to sunset) which some activities are not allowed during that period. This includes eating, smoking, drinking and sexual relationships,etc. These prohibitions only extend during daylight hours. Traditionally this begins at dawn from the moment a white line can be seen at the horizon and ends at sunset, when the sun's disk sinks below the local horizon. These times are known as Fajr and Maghrib, respectively. During Ramadhan, Muslims are also advised to refrain from indulging in violence, anger, envy, greed, lust and backbiting.

There are only a few who are exempt, for example, soldiers, the sick, and the young. Because of the purely lunar calendar, Ramadan falls in different seasons.

Well, that is just additional knowledge to those who were initially confused about “fasting” in Ramadan. The final day of Ramadan, Id al-Fitr (Eid), is celebrated by a day of feasting. 1st of Syawal (the month after Ramadan) is the one has always been awaited every year by the Muslims. Eid celebration in Malaysia is so colourful, that traditionally everyone will wear new clothes, decorate the house with new curtains, tableware and etc., and serve the relatives and friends who came with many types of food and cookies. Children will be given “duit raya” (money) from the visits, and yeah collecting duit raya was my favorite activity when I was small too.

Anyway, my story is just a tiny one but it is the most beautiful memory I captured to write in my diary. I had the best Eid in 2005. My “balik kampung” (going back home) this year took hours and hours of waiting. It was so tiring to have sat down and stretched my arms and legs in such small space in the flight seat for 13 hours. Though, I could not help myself to keep on smiling when picturing myself meeting my family members on the night of Syawal, plus the aircraft turned on the Eid instrumental song which made my eyes dwell with tears of excitement at that time I got on board.

I was very happy when the plane safely landed at KLIA. But I had to wait for a few more hours at the airport for transit, and to get to my hometown normally takes approximately 50 minutes to arrive. During the transit at the airport, I spent my time by wandering around and yup I bought a brooch for raya.

When I was on board, going back to Terengganu, my heart thumped really hard, not because I was scared of flying but because of the time of meeting my family became closer. I was too excited. Time flies so fast that I realized I was already in front of the gate of my house. Slowly and carefully I pressed the bell, and my niece, standing by the door, responded by asking who it was because she could not see since I stood before the gate. At that very second, my blood rushed so rapidly, and I jumped and cried loudly “SURPRISE!!!”

Yes, I came back. It was a surprise for the whole of my family. No one knew about it except for a friend who had picked me up at the airport. Thanks to Fawa!! Anyways, my niece was jumping happily and she shouted to everyone that I was at the gate. Unfortunately, everyone did not believe her until she shouted repeatedly, not giving up. Luckily my father came out. It's funny when my mobile suddenly vibrated, and “Mummy” appeared on the screen “calling”! I just ignored the call. After Ayah saw me, he called up my mom, and told that it was "Nurin"!. My mom ran with her phone in her hand, obviously surprised, but was still at doubt whether to believe what she saw. My parents, my brothers, and some nephews were standing in line facing towards me at the foyer. Then I saw the look on each face. The looks that expressed how horribly surprised they were which I found it complemented with happiness. The faces that expressed appreciation and thankfulness. I stared for a while, then, quickly rushed to hug my parents who I thought would be mad at me for not telling them in the first place. But they hugged me in return, they were shocked and glad I was home, as if I was the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle to complete one set of it. I completed the family for being there during the night before Eid Mubarak.

Yet, my sister was the last one to know of my return. One of my brothers, Abang Ja was also excited, and I think I could reconsider of taking him as an accomplice. He phoned our elder sister whose house is not so far from ours, to tell that there was a guest at home who would like to see her. Straight away we drove to her house. My sister was so whole heartedly shocked when she saw me. At first she did not really notice since I was too familiar to her. I strode over towards her and all I got was a poke from her after I embraced her. The night was filled with joy and excitement of me coming back home. I sat in the kitchen for hours to tell the stories of how I planned to come back for Eid. I found out that my mom could not even eat after that surprise, and my two brothers were all teasing her till the next few days.

I slipped into my new baju kurung on the special day, and that morning we ‘cium tangan’ our parents’, and all other family members asking for forgiveness if there were things we did wrongly to each other. Then, our relatives and my parents’ friends came to visit us as my sisters and I were busy serving them food. I would have to say the news spread so quickly, that all my aunts and uncles, cousins especially were all talking about me coming home already, and yes, I was so “glamour”.HA HA! But it was not that which I was up to. It was being with my parents, siblings and, nephews and nieces on the day per se. I have tasted all the nice food; Nasi Dagang and satay, ketupat and lemang, and the sweetness of home made cookies. It was tremendous. And that was why I called it the glorious of Eid 2005.

The next day, we all went to our relatives’ houses to tighten the family bond, and we all were served with lots of food. The best part was that I received some money from my uncles. It somehow did sufficiently cover my flight ticket, but only the domestic one! It was worth coming back I thought although my parents said I was too daring and a risk taker.

After almost two weeks in Malaysia, enjoying the food and the environment of Eid, I realized it was time to return to England and, back to books, back to the painful of cold weather. However, the beautiful Eid i had in 2005 has always been in my head, and whenever I feel sad or homesick, I would think about that far-fetched “balik kampung”. The funny part, which I kept telling everyone, was that I bought the flight ticket to Malaysia just a day after I received my Eid clothing and some cookies my mother couriered them to me, that I had to bring back my baju raya to Malaysia. Boy, my baju kurung has traveled a lot!

This Eid 2005 shall be the memory I cherish all my life, and I should remember it always and always. With that I would like to thank my friends who had helped me with the surprise. You guys are truly my partners in crime. Thank you for supporting me, without you all, it would not happen. And to all Muslims, Happy Eid Mubarak 2006!