Celebrating Eid During COVID-19

An ideal way to celebrate Aidilfitri!

With less than a week to go before celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we’re sure everyone is excited to usher in the festive season. But as COVID-19 threatens to dampen our festive spirit, some of us may not be in the mood to celebrate Eid. Fret not, here are some tips by Kiddy123 on how to celebrate Hari Raya, quarantine style!

1. Go online!

The gift of technology indeed, keeps on giving. With numerous ecommerce platforms available, there’s no reason for us not to do our Raya shopping. From getting necessities to making kuih raya to getting your baju raya ready, everything can be done online, with just a click of a button! Not to forget, with the introduction of the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), all interstate travels (that means no balik kampung!) are still prohibited and visits to families and neighbours are discouraged. What a better time to utilise online platforms that offer video calls or video conferencing such as WhatsApp or Skype to meet & greet each other virtually, at the comfort of your own home.

Kids, don’t forget to let your parents, uncles and aunties know that your duit raya can still be gifted via online banking platforms (wink, wink!).

2. Keeping Traditions Alive

When we think of Hari Raya, the thought of performing prayers at the mosque and making rendang with family and neighbours automatically pops up. With the CMCO in place, that doesn’t mean we can’t keep these traditions alive. The Government has announced the Aidilfitri prayers can be done at the comfort of one’s home with the whole family. That means, more time to spend with our loved ones! Families can bond over ketupat making or while baking kuih raya and recipes can be handed down to younger generations so that when the time comes, they know how to keep these traditions alive and pass them down.

Worried that you can’t visit relatives and send them well wishes? Send them funny Eid GIFS or memes and tag them in Facebook posts to show that you’re still thinking of them even during these trying times. It’s a simple gesture that makes you feel connected no matter your age or location.

3. The New Normal

The Government of Malaysia is proactive in battling COVID-19, thus appropriate measures and guidelines have been put out to protect the public, including avoiding the 3Cs (Crowded places, Confined spaces, Close conversation). Raya favourites including visiting open houses should definitely be avoided because they fulfill all 3Cs. Although the Government has given the green light for visitations on the first day of Raya, with a maximum of 20 people in each household, it’s best if this practice is abstained to prevent the spread of COVID-19, especially to the elderly and small children.

Check out this cool video by the Ministry of Health, here.

4. It’s Still The Same

Finally, with all these restrictions, it may seem that Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a bit subdued this year. But after all, every cloud has a silver lining. Take this Eid as a chance to get closer to loved ones and spend time with close family.

Before this we may have been busy prepping to celebrate family and friends from far away, but this time, especially during Ramadan and Hari Raya Aidilfitri has taught us the meaning of Zuhud in it’s entirety. It may be a different kind of Raya this year, but it’s still the same with our loved ones.