So… you keep hearing about Hari Raya. You know it’s a big deal for Muslims, but you’re not quite sure why, when, or what actually happens. Is it because of new year, or just about food and new clothes? (Spoiler: not just lah.)

Whether you’re a curious non-Muslim, someone dating a Malay, or just trying to make small talk during festive season — you’re in the right place.

Let’s unpack when is Hari Raya, what is Hari Raya, and how it’s celebrated across different countries, without sounding like an article from Straitstimes business section. Okay? Okay.

When is Hari Raya?

Short answer: It depends.

Long answer: On the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. But it still depends on the Moon.

Hari Raya, known as Eid in Arabic, actually refers to two major Islamic celebrations:

Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr): Marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.
Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha): Commemorates the story of Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son.

For this article, we will be talking about Eid Al-Fitri, or also known as Hari Raya Puasa.

I saw a Facebook post from one of McDonald's pages in the Philippines that said 'Happy Eid Adha.' It went viral because they mistakenly thought it was Eid Adha instead of Eid Fitri.

Can you imagine how nervous all the animals bound to be sacrificed would be if they knew that?

I tried searching for that post but it says “Page is unavailable right now”. Someone probably got an earful by the manager for posting the wrong information and deleted it straight away..Lol!

Anyway…the Eid fitri falls on the month of Syawal, which is the tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

The Islamic calendar is lunar, not solar. Since the Islamic calendar is lunar, it follows the cycle of the moon.

Each Islamic month starts with the sighting of the new moon — yes, literally someone goes outside to look at the sky.

*Unless, for country like Singapore where the weather is mostly cloudy and its hard to see the moon, then the islamic scholars will based the start of Eid using calculations.

That means Hari Raya can shift around the Gregorian calendar by about 10–11 days earlier every year.

Depending on when the moon is spotted in your region, the actual day of Hari Raya might differ by a day between countries.

So you might have Malaysians celebrating on Wednesday and Indonesians on Thursday — it’s not a glitch in the Matrix, just normal moon issues.

This is also why some official news update in some countries like Malaysia often say, "We’ll confirm closer to the date" when asked about festive plans. Not because they’re flaky. It’s tradition.

What is Hari Raya?

Now this is where things get deep.

Hari Raya Puasa (Eid al-Fitr)

After fasting from dawn to dusk for a whole month during Ramadan — no food, no drinks, no ahem, and a whole lot of spiritual effort — Hari Raya Puasa marks the end of the fasting month, and Muslims are obliged to break their fast and to welcome the month of Syawal with prayers and celebration.

It’s not just “yay no more dieting” (although yes, finally nasi briyani again), it’s more like a reset for the soul.

Ramadan teaches self-control, patience, humility, and gratitude. It supposed to rekindle, grow, and boost the connection and relationship with God.

The Raya celebration is about forgiveness, togetherness, and charity. In fact, Muslims are required to give Zakat Fitrah — a donation that ensures the less fortunate can also enjoy the festivities.

We believe that Allah swt promises immense rewards for Muslims who complete the month of fasting (Ramadan) with sincerity and devotion. According to Islamic teachings, some of the key rewards include:

Forgiveness of sins –
“Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
— Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Sahih Bukhari & Muslim
Entry through the special gate of Paradise (Ar-Rayyan) –
“In Paradise, there is a gate called Ar-Rayyan, through which those who fast will enter on the Day of Judgment. No one else will enter through it.”
— Sahih Bukhari

What it really feels like celebrating Eid Al-Fitri?

Imagine a situation where you are stranded in the middle of the barren desert in a foreign country with no water, food, or any means of communication.

The sun is blazing, your mouth is dry, and every step feels heavier than the last. In the far distance, you could see a village — and as you finally reach it, someone opens their door, offers you cold water, a warm meal, and a place to rest.

That moment of relief, gratitude, and joy is just a glimpse of how Muslims feel when Hari Raya arrives after a whole month of fasting.

It's not just about the food, but the celebration of patience, discipline, and spiritual growth — and finally getting to enjoy it with your loved ones.

So What Happens During Hari Raya?

Let’stalk about the rituals and traditions. Because yes, there’s more than just kuih and nice baju kurung.

Morning Routine

Photo created by Zaid Omar using Canva Pro

Wake up early around 5-6am. Some would wake up earlier to have a chance to be at the first few rows at the Mosque. (Like, actually early. No snooze button.)
Take a full bath (mandi sunat Hari Raya) — it's symbolic of purification.
Dress up in traditional clothes. Baju Melayu, Baju Kurung — ironed and matched to perfection, sometimes even colour-coordinated by family theme (Team Dark Blue 2025, let’s go).
Head to the mosque for special Hari Raya prayers. It’s very common for mosques to be super crowded. Some HDB blocks will orgaize these prayers at a nearby open field or MPH to accomodate the crowd.
Seeking parents and grandparents forgiveness and blessings. This is one of those slightly awkward moments when children take part in a formal tradition of seeking forgiveness from their parents and grandparents, as shown in the photo above.

Sometimes we don’t know what to say or feel that it is kind of forced. But most of us will be glad that it is only once a year.
Greet others with “Selamat Hari Raya, Maaf Zahir dan Batin”, asking for forgiveness sincerely. Not just “sorry if I offended you” — more like “I genuinely want to start anew with you”.

Visiting Houses

It’s not Raya unless you spend the whole day (and week, let’s be honest) visiting relatives, eating a dangerous amount of food, and possibly doing 12 rounds of answering “So, when you getting married ah?”

There’s a strong culture of forgiveness and reconnection.

Elders are especially respected. Young ones seek forgiveness and give hugs and kisses on the hand (salam), and receive green packets (duit raya) in return.

Yes, like ang pao, but green and less pressure to perform in school.

Usually, most muslims in Singapore will continue to visit their relatives and friends until their list of houses to visit is completed.

If not, we'll do our best to complete it within the month. Once the month ends, we’ll stop visiting any more houses. If there are still some left on our list, we’ll at least give them a call to wish them Selamat Hari Raya.

The Huge Family

Some families would even rent a 45-seater bus for their house visiting. Yes a bus, I did not typo. Can you imagine the chaos and fun?

Some make it a point to visit the eldest relative's house on the evening of the first day of Hari Raya and stay until past midnight, just to show how much they truly want to spend time together.

That was what happened to me when my grandmother was still around.

On the first day of Raya, my parents and I would anticipate that the family of “such and such” will definitely come in a huge group around 9pm and stay until midnight..and they never fail to do so.

The moment we heard the sound of dozens of footsteps outside our house, followed by a chorus of voices greeting in unison, “Assalamualaikuuuuum,” we would instantly stop whatever we were doing and rush to prepare for our guests’ arrival.

Now that my grandmother has passed away, the first day of raya is not as exciting and meaningful as there are less visitors.

The Baju Kurung/Melayu

Wearing the traditional clothes has become an obligation since generations ago whenever we are going to the mosque for the Eid prayers or when visiting relatives.

Have you noticed how Malays across Asia go all out with colourful traditional clothes during Hari Raya? It's something unique – you don’t really see other races dressing up like that for their celebrations.

I ever wore jeans during Hari Raya and got reprimanded by everyone. Haha.

It feels weird too if I don’t dress up nicely like everyone else. Like,I’m the only odd one out.

That is why it feels like it has become a norm, or even an obligation, to wear the nicest, most-shining, and striking traditional clothes during Hari Raya.

But, once the date gets closer to the end of the month, that is when we start to see lesser people dressed in such traditional clothes.

The celebration vibe is slowly dying, and wearing our baju kurung or baju melayu starts to feel less significant. Or even weird because no one else is wearing them for house visitings.

The Food

A science-backed fact: one ketupat is never enough.
There’s usually a full spread:

Ketupat and lemang
Beef rendang
Ayam masak merah
Kuih Raya (pineapple tarts, suji, cornflake cookies — we could go on)

My Favorites:

Ayam masak merah or Chicken cooked in a tomato based sauce slightly spicy and sweet.
Sambal goreng, a popular Malay dish consisting of stir-fried tofu, tempe and long beans in a fragrant, spicy sauce.
Serondeng, a spiced, grated coconut side dish or condiment, often eaten with rice, and can be made with or without added ingredients like beef, chicken, or fish

I love eating these dishes with the soft and aromatic Lontong or rice cakes. I’m feeling hungry as I write this.

Honestly, some bias scientists suspect Raya calories don’t count. That’s why even fitness enthusiast would go all out during this festive season. Lol.

We’ll update you when research confirms. But, if you need some tips on how to maintain your fitness goals during this festive season, do read my other blog on How to Enjoy Hari Raya Food Without Ruining Your Fitness Goals.

How is Hari Raya Celebrated in Different Countries?

You’d think Muslims all celebrate the same way — but nope. The beauty of Islam is that it adapts to culture, language, and even geography. Here’s how Hari Raya, or Eid, looks across the globe:

Singapore & Malaysia

Probably the most festive, colourful version. Full-on family reunions, house-hopping, open houses, and non-stop makan. Public holidays are declared, and you’ll see whole blocks decorated.

The bazaars leading up to Raya? Legendary.

This is well-documented by travel and cultural sites like Visit Malaysia and The Honeycombers (Singapore), who emphasise the importance of food and community events.

Also: Raya music blasting on loop. “Selamat Hari Raya” hits different when you’re eating sambal goreng at 10pm.

Indonesia

There, it’s called Lebaran. The whole country literally moves — millions go back to hometowns in an annual migration called mudik.

As reported by The Jakarta Post and other local media outlets, mudik is one of the largest human migrations in the world, and it’s a massive part of the Lebaran tradition.

It’s spiritual, emotional, and also jammed. Most of them have to endure long hours of traffic jams to get back to their home village, a sacrifice worth going through to meet their dearly-missed loved ones.

There is a term for such occasion called Mudik, which simply means Mass Homecoming. And just as what the translation says, it is very massive.

They also have some of the most creative snacks and strongest Raya traditions. Locally, people share festive dishes like ketupat, rendang, and an endless supply of cookies and pastries.

Middle East

In countries like Saudi Arabia and UAE, it’s more solemn and elegant. Big mosque prayers, family meals, and gift-giving.

As detailed in publications like Saudipedia, the focus in Middle Eastern countries during Eid is on family, reflection, and charity.

There’s less house-hopping, and more quiet reflection with family. Food is still a highlight, though — think lamb, rice, dates, and Arabic coffee.

Western Countries

In non-Muslim-majority countries, Muslims still celebrate — just differently.

Many Muslims in the UK and US, according to sources like BBC and The Guardian, host potluck dinners, attend mosque prayers, and gather with community members for festive events.

A perfect example of how these celebrations are evolving is Bradford, UK, where the city has come a long way in making Muslims feel truly at home during Ramadan and Eid.

As highlighted in a BBC article (Bradford Eid Celebrations: How the City Has Evolved), the city is known for its community spirit, with shops staying open late during Ramadan and special events during Eid.

Bradford’s multicultural environment has embraced these celebrations so much that it’s now one of the most vibrant and festive places to mark Eid in the UK.

Why It Matters — Even Today

Hari Raya isn't just about food, music, and getting a new outfit. It's about reflecting on our blessings and showing gratitude, especially in today's world.

Let’s reflect for a moment — we live in countries that are generally safe from natural disasters, war, and extreme poverty.

We’re lucky enough to not have to worry about surviving through crises. Many parts of the world are still grappling with these challenges, and that’s something we must never take for granted.

“We’re lucky enough to not have to worry about surviving through crises. Many parts of the world are still grappling with these challenges, and that’s something we must never take for granted.”

— Zaid Omar

So, why does it matter to celebrate Hari Raya?

Well, it's a reminder to be thankful for the peace and stability we enjoy. It’s an opportunity to acknowledge the good in our lives, to show gratitude for our loved ones, and to appreciate the freedoms we often overlook.

The festive season serves as a time to connect with others and to contribute to the community — through charity, through family, and through the sharing of joy.

In countries where Muslims can celebrate freely and safely, it's also a chance to give back. It's not just about celebrating; it’s about making sure the celebration is inclusive.

Helping those in need during this time, by giving to charity or simply inviting someone who might not have a family nearby to join your table, can make a world of difference.

So, if you’re fortunate enough to live in a place where your safety isn’t in constant question, take a moment to reflect and be grateful.

To my muslim friends and relatives, if you are reading this then I wish you Selamat Hari Raya. Hope we get to meet some day to catch up!

To other non-muslim readers, whether we are friends or not, I hope you had some idea of how we celebrate our Eid, and no it is not a New Year celebration okay?

Till next time!

Hari Raya Explained: When Do Muslims Celebrate and What It Means

When is Hari Raya?