"It's 6 am and i arise to a gloomy morning. The sky is as grey as the back of a lone wolf. I take my shower with the niat: Sahaja aku mandi sunat aidilfitri kerana Allah taala. The water is excetionally cold like the waterfall that I frequent whenever I get the golden chance to come back. I make my way to the masjid with my brother and camera in tow. We arrive early and there are but a few souls about the place.
Most are making their last minute zakat fitrah payments while the rest-including my brother, camera and I-sit quietly and await the forth coming prayers. At about nine it starts and ends about an hour and a half later. On the way back I stop by at my grandfather's grave and pray for him. Later at home the house is alive with people as the younger ones neil and ask for forgiveness from the elders. In return, they are rewarded with packets filled with money. New money. So new that you can still smell the crispness as it fell of the printing line.
As the days wane, people soon make their way home and so do my family and I. The memories that we take back with us long out live the taste of ketupat and rendang that wash away after defaecating the undigested parts."
Such is my raya this year. All the more special since we went back to celebrate it in Taiping, my hometown. A beautiful place it is. Lay back atmosphere, beautiful lake gardes, ancient trees, wonderful food and people along with a hint of exceptionally heavy rain.
As ya'll can see I have a big family which translates to more fun, laughter and duit raya!!! It was truly amazing to see everyone coming together like that. It's been a while and about time such a thing happened. The best part was seeing how happy my grandmother was at the sight of her children and grandchildren under one roof.
Peel back all the glamorous layers of fireworks, food, decorations, money, and new clothes and all you have is a celebration of victory and brotherhood. That's what Aidilfitri is all about.
Now I'm back in KL and I spent the morning and afternoon today out with my friends. Going from one house to another and seeing everyone again. It was fun. I had tons of Raya cookies, kuey teow, mee kari, and bihun. I daresay I might not eat dinner tonight.
To all my friends and fellow Muslimeen:
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri
Eid Mubarak
Maaf Zahir & Batin
May all of you live long and prosper in times to come!
Ramai gilaa
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