HARI Raya Aidilfitri is just a couple of weeks away but Muslims who will celebrate the end of their month-long fast are resigned to having a celebration “the same as last year”, minus the big festivities.

Muslims in Sarawak told The Malaysian Insight the daily Covid-19 cases in the state are in three digits and it would take a miracle for the figures to drop in the next two weeks.

Civil engineer Abang Mohamad Moasili, however, is praying hard the situation gets better.

On this 63 year-old grandfather’s wish list is for the situation to reach the point where Raya congregational prayers would be allowed and rules on visits relaxed.

“I would be absolutely delighted if that happens,” he said.

With movements sharply curtailed by the conditional movement-control order and a myriad of standard operating procedure (SOP) to comply with, Abang said he’s resigned to having a repeat of last year’s Raya – cooped up at home with nowhere to go.

For the first time in his life, and for a man who considers himself a Raya person, Abang did not have an open house.

He did not even visit his siblings and immediate family members due to the ban on such visits.

“It was a very, very different feeling. It was Raya, yes, but we felt the constraints.”

Abang only visited his mother, who is living with his brother, to fulfil his obligation. And he did that only on the fifth day.

Abang is the eldest sibling in his family, yet the younger ones did not visit him for fear of flouting the SOP.

“It was really gloomy,” he said.

Whatever the situation is this year, Abang is resolute that the gloom of last Raya will be banished.

He said he plans to visit his mother on the first day and visit all his siblings, “like I have always done so”.

Sarawak has close to 30,000 cumulative Covid-19 cases with more than 170 deaths. Yesterday the state recorded 522 cases from 65 active clusters.

For Emma Ali, she would not want to have a repeat of last year’s Raya, which she remembered so well.

Just a quick drop to a neighbour’s house on Raya morning for the usual “makan”, she said.

“That was about it,” said the Sibu airport air traffic controller.

“I want my children to experience how my childhood Raya used to be. This Raya will be all about making my two sons not lose sight of what Raya is all about,” Emma said.

Since she cannot go back to her village in Muar, Johor with her family this Raya, Emma got her sons Muhammad Akif Muqri, eight, and Muhammad Abid Mukhlis, four, to send the festive greetings like she used to, with Raya cards.

The last time Emma, her husband and sons spent their Raya back home was in 2019.

“The eight-year-old missed meeting with cousins, the road trip back to the village and collecting ‘duit raya’,” she said.

“Last year, he didn’t have all that. Both of them kept on saying they want to meet their little cousins in Muar.

“So, I prepared a bit to recreate some of the Raya spirit for them. A modest one of course.

“It’s all about making the kids feel what the festival is all about or something close to it.”

If there is no interstate travel ban or having to undergo the 14-day quarantine on return to Sarawak, Emma said a trip back would definitely be on the cards.

Nothing beats celebrating Raya at home, she added.

Being all alone

The interstate travel ban also means journalist Ahmad Syabil could not be home to celebrate with his family in Penang for a second consecutive year.

The thought of being alone again on such an occasion is already getting to him.

He moaned about not even able to return home on normal days.

“Of course I’m sad. Can’t go back on normal days, what more for Raya,” he said.

“Makes me more sad I can’t meet my family.”

Ahmad plans to spend this Raya at the home of his boss, that is if he gets an invite.

The SOP and rules to curb the spread of the Covid-19 are also not stopping a Kuching mother from trying to recreate that Raya spirit in her young children.

“Even though we have to adhere to the SOP for Raya, we still decorated our house with sparkling lights and bought traditional clothes.

“It’s important to get that Raya vibes going, especially for the children,” said property consultant Syeda Samad.

“Gatherings may not be big like how open houses used to be, but we will keep it between immediate family and very close friends.”

Syeda said celebrating with a small group of people makes Raya visits more meaningful and intimate.

Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, meanwhile, felt the Covid-19 situation will not get any better anytime soon.

“Not only will I not be able to celebrate it back in my village because of the inter-zone travel ban, it looks like there will not be Raya congregational prayers,” said the Sarawak PKR deputy chairman.

He, however, hoped police will issue permits to representatives of political parties, civil society groups and individuals who wish to distribute food aid to the underprivileged in other zones.

He said this is especially so during this month of Ramadan and in the run-up to Raya.

While many are feeling the gloom, chef Ahid Bonari is nonchalant and taking everything in his stride.

“Maybe the young ones will feel sad at having to spend another pandemic Raya. For the older ones like me, we’ve had our time.

“For me now, being with my grandchildren is more satisfying,” the 63 year-old said. – May 1, 2021.