Hari Raya Aidil Fitri Celebration in Brunei
The Muslims in Brunei Darussalam started celebrating Hari Raya Aidil Fitri on 18th July 2015. The Hari Raya Aidil Fitri or Eid al-Fitr is an important Islamic event celebrated by Muslims from around the world in the month of Syawal. Ramadhan precedes Syawal, where the Muslims would observe one month of fasting from sunrise to sundown. During Ramadhan, gerai ramadhan (ramadhan food stalls) in the evening will become the highlight where an extensive selections of local food and beverage, and desserts will be on sale nationwide. It is truly a meaningful way to experience the Bruneians’ Islamic traditions and to sample their appetizing food during sungkai or breaking of fast in the evening.
As the Muslims usher in the first day of Syawal, the men will clad in new and vibrant baju raya or baju Melayu, with a songkok (headgear) on their head while the ladies will put on new baju kurung and some with tudung (head scarf). The men would visit mosque for prayers and the most significant tradition will be the open house, rumah terbuka where the host will invite friends and relatives for a feast at their house. Traditional cakes or kuih such as Kuih Sapit, Kuih Mor, Kek Tapak Kuda and raya dishes like Rendang, Ketupat, Satay, Kelupis (glutinous rice rolls) and chicken curry will be served to the guests. The locals and tourists would also throng the national palace, Istana Nurul Iman during three days of grand open house. The Brunei Times reported that 72,000 people visited the palace in 2014. For many visitors, this is an opportunity to greet or take a close-up look of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam and the royal 
family.
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is a month long celebration and is very much a month for the Muslims to offer thanks to our creator and to seek forgiveness from others. Sunshine Borneo Tours and Travel and Ulu Ulu Resort sincerely wish you “Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin”.
By Willie Ki