How to Make Eid al-Fitr Special for Family?

Eid al-Fitr is a religious festival celebrated by Muslims all across the globe. A sacred celebration in the Islamic calendar, Eid al-Fitr is also known as ‘the festival of breaking the fast’ and ‘Hari Raya Puasa’. It marks the end of Ramadan- the holy month of fasting and charity. This year, Hari Raya Puasa celebrations will be witnessed on 13th May.

This festival brings immense joy to people as it is only a great time to celebrate but teaches us the true meaning of perseverance and how to show compassion to the poor. Eid is considered an auspicious festival to thank Allah for his blessings and to ask for His forgiveness for all the sins. Take a look at some amazing Hari Raya Puasa celebration ideas to make the day special and memorable for your family and friends.

Get Back to Your Folks

Being away from loved ones can make you feel lonely during festivals. People who live in a different city/country for work purposes need to take a break and travel back to their hometown to meet their family on Eid. It will allow you to bond with your family and create memories that can be treasured forever. For example, take the case of Indonesia, a Muslim country where Mudik is the first tradition of Eid celebration where people go back to their home cities to celebrate with their family members. This tradition sends a very powerful message of getting back to one’s roots and spreading happiness in the community.

Celebrate With Delicious Food

As it is the festival of breaking the fast, the celebration without scrumptious food can never be considered complete. While different countries have diverse signature dishes, people in the UAE like to savour ouzi- a local dish of slow-cooked lamb or goat mixed with rice. However, the common delicacies remain rendang, mutton korma, haleem and Kimani Sewaiyan. Add some flavour to the festivities by helping in the kitchen to make these lip-smacking dishes.

Visit the Mosque

Hari Raya Puasa tradition requires a particular Islamic prayer called salat that is generally offered in open fields, community centres, or mosques. You can visit the mosque with your family to offer prayers to Allah and to greet others with heartwarming wishes. You can also participate in Hari Raya Puasa activities held at Mosques like making prayer arrangements, working with the administration, or volunteering as a representative of the Mosque. Working closely with people from different communities will help broaden your spiritual horizons.

Spread Happiness with Gifts

A famous Muslim saying ‘tahaabu, tahaadu’ means ‘to give gifts to spread love to one another.’ The blessed occasion of Eid can be made more joyous by offering unique and thoughtful gifts to friends and loved ones. One should choose long-lasting gifts that can be used on an everyday basis. And one should also keep in mind the taste and preferences of the loved ones while buying Eid gifts.

Share Eid with Loved Ones & Needy People

The auspicious festival of Eid is all about spreading happiness and doing charity. Exchange Har Raya wishes with relatives and neighbours by inviting them over to serve great food. Arrange a gathering to get loved ones together. Spending quality time with them would help you know your close ones better and strengthen your bonds with them. Donate food and new clothes to the needy so that they can also celebrate this festival like everybody else.

Ask For Forgiveness

Festivals bring people closer and allow them to forget their sorrows and celebrate their joys and happiness. In many Muslim nations asking for forgiveness or forgiving those who have hurt you in the past is a major tradition of the Eid celebration. You can also ask for forgiveness from friends, family members and anyone else for all the faults and mistakes you have committed in the past. Doing so will help you eliminate differences in the relationship and strengthen your ties.

The Hari Raya Puasa festival is a great opportunity to reconnect with people you might have forgotten about in the everyday hustle-bustle of life. This Eid, get family, friends and loved ones together to wish them love and peace.