Remember how we survived Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr) 2020 in near-isolation? Part of what we learn from fasting 30 days a year, and from living through a global pandemic for over a year, is that humans are incredibly resilient creatures. We've survived a solemn Eid, and InshAllah we'll be able to survive this year's weirdly-solemn-but-not-quite-as-bad Eid too.
As governments around the world had highly encouraged its people to stay home and avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus, we may be wondering how to celebrate Eid al-Fitr memorably this year.
The global pandemic might have changed the way we celebrate Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr) this year but that doesn't mean we can't make it a memorable one. Here are 12 things that we can do to make this Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr) 2024 memorable!
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Video calls on online platforms like Zoom and Skype have become the new norm during this Covid-19 period. So why not make use of it for Eid al-Fitr 2024? In many places around the world, we may not be able to go house visiting in order to prevent the spread of the virus. Certain travel restrictions have also prevented some of us from going back to our home country to visit our parents or family for the Hari Raya celebration. As such, we could video call our close family and friends to enjoy this festive occasion together. There are many fun Hari Raya activities that we can do together while on these video calls such as streaming movies together, having long conversations, listening to festive music, and even eating "together" virtually.
While home-cooked food is the best part of Hari Raya, you can try something different too by placing your orders for food online. There are online food delivery services that are open during Eid and they can be delivered right to your doorstep. This is convenient as you no longer have to step out of the house to get your food for Eid.
Check out our suggestions for the 7 Best Halal Takeaway & Delivery Deals This Hari Raya!
Even though we may not hold house visits this year for Eid, that doesn't mean we can't get into the festive mood. Cleaning and decorating your house is one such way to get into a festive mood. Designate cleaning chores for everyone at home so that you will have a beautiful and clean home fit for celebrations. The house can be decorated with banners, sparkling lights, or streamers to create that festive mood. Delegate a space for your own family photoshoot to make this Eid a memorable one!
Hari Raya Eid al-Fitr is one of the best times to taste special dishes that are normally not made during the rest of the year and when you can taste different homemade foods as well. Try whipping up some of your own Hari Raya dishes together with your family. We also recommend you make your own Kuih Raya so that you and your family can enjoy them during this festive occasion.
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Get crafty and design some of your own homemade gifts this Eid! Gifting someone's homemade gifts adds a personal touch to the festivities. You can even get the children involved to make Eid cards or crafts too!
Ladies and young girls enjoy the tradition of applying henna or mehendi on their hands and feet especially in Asian countries such as India and Pakistan, as well as most Middle Eastern countries too. For some fun, you can learn to apply henna by yourself! There are many online tutorials available for you to learn how to apply henna by yourself.
Buying traditional outfits is one of the best parts of Eid. Who says you can't wear them even if you're not going on house visiting? You can always wear your best clothes during Eid and have your own personal photo shoot at home. Why not make this a memorable Hari Raya and take a family photo with everyone in traditional clothes? You can share these photos on social media!
Remember how in 2020, people were buying gifts, food, and snacks for each other, orchestrating surprise deliveries for friends in other households? With the recently announced COVID-19 restrictions in Singapore, our festive moods might have been dampened a little. Why not bring back this fun little activity to lift the spirits a little?
And hey, here are some ideas we have for Eid gifts and hampers you can send your friends or family today!
Alternatively, bring the activity home by writing down each family member’s name on a paper, placing them in a bowl and having them pick one out. Each person will have to get a gift for the person they picked. This Hari Raya activity is particularly fun for children!
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Not forgetting the less fortunate, this is the best time for us to do our part by making donations. This can give them a memorable Hari Raya as well. There are many online platforms that raise funds for a special cause that you and your family can contribute to.
This Eid is different from the past years as we are not able to gather in large crowds with family and friends to celebrate Eid. In spite of that, we still can wish everyone an Eid Mubarak by just sending them a text message or calling them. Now is also the best time to reconnect with your old friends. Send them an Eid greeting and catch up with each other over text messages or other social media platforms! This will definitely make your Eid celebration more memorable.
In the modern age, Youtube and Spotify can be our best friends, giving us access to nostalgic memories and any kind of mood and any time of day! I'm sure our Singaporean friends have enjoyed watching Sinar Lebaran each Syawal growing up. Why not look for recordings of past screenings online? Or create an Eid playlist for all kinds of your favorite Hari Raya songs? Better still, video calls some friends and you can enjoy the online festivities together!
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Some traditions can never be trampled on. We hold them too close to our hearts. One tradition we love is definitely listening to the Takbeer during the special month of Syawal. The best part? We can still do that in 2024! Here's one video to start you off.
There we have it, 12 things that we can do to make this Hari Raya (Eid al-Fitr) 2024 memorable. Eid Mubarak to all Muslims around the world!
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