Eid Mubarakh - Salam Aidil Fitri - Selamat Hari Raya Puasa

We have just concluded the month of Ramadhan when me and my fellow Muslims, all over the world, observe the fast from dawn to sunset.  As a friend suggested, it is surely justified and worthy to celebrate with pride and fulfillment the completion of a whole month of discipline in thought, word and deed.

Therefore on the appearance of the new moon of Shawal, Muslims rejoice and celebrate Eid'l Fitr or better know locally as Hari Raya Puasa.

One of the truly Malaysian ways of celebrating is by holding 'open house'.

It's food galore, with lemang, ketupat and rendang being a must. 
     The 'open house' concept is probably an expansion of the 'mutual visitation' (ziarah menziarah) tradition of the Malay Muslim community which has been embraced by every community here in Malaysia.  We visit friends and relatives on all festival days, be it Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or Christmas.  No invitations are necessary, only make sure the person you are visiting will be at home and not 'balik kampung' (gone back to their hometown) or themselves gone visiting.

     Politicians, never ones to not capitalize on a good thing, advertise their open houses through the local media.  These are the ones which attract both foreign tourists and other local visitors.

This year a cousin hosted an 'open house' which was a 'catered' affair, not the usual home prepared version.  In addition to the traditional Raya fair, other traditional Malaysia foods, such as tosai, roti jala, char kue tiaw and ais kacang were also served.

As the day also coincided with the birthday of their son, a magic show was also arranged to entertain the children who were at the open house.

Pop corn and cotton candy was also available.

I remember my childhood, when the cotton candy man used 'peddle power' with the help of his bicycle to spin the candy.