Kuala Lumpur - Muslims in Malaysia celebrate the end of the holy month of Ramadan on their New Year‘s eve, which falls on the 10th month or Syawal and is actually the 4th New Year in a culturally diverse country like Malaysia.
Not many countries in Asia thrive on diversity as much as Malaysia. With its quaint mix of Chinese, Indian, Western, and Muslim heritage, Malaysia is a country rich in the colors of culture. And it is this multiplicity of traditions and races that make visitors in Malaysia feel like they are in four different countries.
As the Muslim population of the country observes the holy month of Ramadan this September, it is hard not to wind up having a nationwide celebrations of the Muslim New Year or the Hari Raya, actually the 4th New Year of 2008 in Malaysia.
The Hari Raya is a joyous occasion observed toward the end of Ramadan by Muslims and non-Muslims alike to celebrate the conclusion of the holy month of Syawal, which falls between September and October.
Long-practiced traditions are observed in Malaysia during the Hari Raya, or Day of Celebrations. Households and hotels, restaurants, and malls offer Buka Puasa or Ramadan Buffet at the end of the day to break the fast.
Specialty shops and stalls at the Golden Triangle in Kuala Lumpur, meanwhile, sell lemang (glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes), serunding (desiccated coconut fried with chili), and curry chicken.
The buffet features special dishes and foods usually prepared only for this time of year. At the Zon Hotel in Kuala Lumpur a Buffet Sahur will be available in September from 6 to 10 in the evening. For RM35, guests at their hotel in Malaysia can avail of the kanak kanak buffet at the Terracotta Restaurant of the hotel.
Also, the hotel in Kuala Lumpur of the Zon All Suites Residences will be raffling off duit raya or festivity money for its guests. From Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, guests have a chance to win RM1,000 cash. Duit raya is traditionally given to kids during the holy month of Ramadan as gift.
Another can‘t-miss in Malaysia during the Hari Raya celebrations is shopping at the malls of big cities like Kuala Lumpur. At this time of year, the malls at the vicinity of the Golden Triangle and the Embassy Row hold great-bargain sales and promotions, as the premises are transformed with Muslim decors, fireworks, light display, and Selamat Hari Raya jingles.
Because Hari Raya is a family-centered celebration like the West‘s New Year and Christmas or the Hindu‘s Deepavali Festival, expect the city of Kuala Lumpur to witness, for the fourth time this year, the influx of Malaysians and visitors from other parts of the world making a balik kampung or homecoming for the festivities.
Of course, it will be a different New Year than the last.
Source: http://www.pr-inside.com (September 04, 2008)
