Raya in the time of coronavirus

Updated 1 month ago · Published on 24 May 2020 1:59PM · 0 Comments

FOR almost all Muslim families, the spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be missing this year.

For many, Hari Raya is not about buying new clothes, cakes, gorging on ketupat and rendang, getting packets of duit raya or decorating their houses with lights. For them, the annual celebration is about reconnecting with parents, grandparents and siblings and seeking their forgiveness.

All of that will be impossible this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To stem the spread of the virus, the authorities have been compelled bar families from making their annual balik kampung journeys.

The customary visits to the graves of loved ones are also prohibited. – May 24, 2020.

Police and armed forces patrol the perimeter of the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 24, 2020.
For the first time in recorded history, the Sabah State Mosque in Kota Kinabalu is closed during Hari Raya. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, May 24, 2020.
A woman wipes tears at a cemetery in Ampang, the day before Eid al-Fitr. It is the practice of Muslims to visit the graves of their loved ones during this time. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 24, 2020.
Muslims perform Aidilfitri prayers outdoors in the compound of the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 24, 2020.
Policeman turn away Muslims hoping to perform Aidilfitri prayers at the National Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Hasnoor Hussain, May 24, 2020.
A child plays with fireworks on the eve of Eid al-Fitr in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 24, 2020.
A man makes a video call to his family on the eve of Eid al-Fitr in Kuala Lumpur. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 24, 2020.
A family is philosophical about the balik kampung ban. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 24, 2020.
Men prepare food after prayers marking the end of Ramadan in Shah Alam. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Afif Abd Halim, May 24, 2020.
Muslims pay zakat at Sabah State Mosque in Kota Kinabalu. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Irwan Majid, May 24, 2020.

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