At this point of time, my Muslim friends and blog readers all over the world must be busy either heading home or are at home finalizing the preparations for Hari Raya Puasa. Despite being a non-Muslim, I believe that this festival has deep significance and is a very meaningful one to Muslims.
Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the Malay term for the Muslim festival of Eid ul-Fitr. Hari Raya is also known as Lebaran. This festival is celebrated by Muslims in Malaysia and other Muslims throughout the world. If we were to look at the term, "Hari Raya" literally means "Day of Celebration". Usually, the main greeting used in Malaysia when greeting each other is "Selamat Hari Raya" which means "Happy Eid" in Malay.
This time, Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is all the more meaningful to me because a blogger friend Chahya has been faithfully posting meaningful and spiritual posts on Hari Raya in her blog with beautiful excerpts from the Quran, inspirational thoughts and pictures as well. Personally, it was a very refreshing experience to read the excerpts from the Quran in her blog and I am simply astounded by the beautiful language used, especially since it has been a long time since I read anything as beautiful in Malay.
For the benefit of foreign readers, here's some information to help you to better understand HariRaya. The month leading up to Hari Raya is known as Ramadhan and during this time, Muslims must to fast from dawn to dusk. All Muslims except those who are young, old or the infirm must fast. Muslims must also abstain from pleasures such as smoking cigarettes and intimate activities during the daylight of the fasting month.
Hari Raya Aidil Fitri is actually a joyous occasion for Muslims as it signifies the personal triumph of the believer and the a victory of self-restraint and abstinence from food for a month. Symbolically, it symbolises purification and the renewal. It is not easy to fast - honestly. I have the greatest respect for Muslims because of the willpower, commitment and discipline to fast ffrom dawn to dusk for one whole month. Fasting is definitely a very good practice and is encouraged in Christianity and other religions as well. When fasting, one concentrates on God and attention is diverted from worldly things. I am very sure that after the fasting period, my Muslim friends are definitely renewed in their minds and bodies and for sure, the celebration is a joyous one.
For my country Malaysia, the period of fasting ends when the new moon is sighted on the evening of the last day of Ramadhan which could be today as indicated by the lunar calendar. The actual sighting is conducted by state appointed religious officials at various vantage points (usually at hilltops) throughout the country. Once the crescent is sighted, there is an official announcement made over the air in the evening to declare the following day as the first day of Aidil Fitri - the beginning of the 10th month of the Muslim calendar Syawal.
Even though Aidilfitri is celebrated for the whole month of Syawal, in Malaysia, only the first two days are observed as public holidays. This year, regardless of whether it falls or Sunday or Monday, Malaysians enjoy Monday and Tuesday off. Public schools are closed for ten days and many Muslims take the first week off from work to make their annual pilgrimage to their hometowns in a journey popularly called balik kampung (which means return to the village) to be with parents, relatives and old friends. Places like Kuala Lumpur will be relatively quiet during the festive season of Aidil Fitri.
On the morning of the first day Hari Raya, Muslims congregate at mosques for morning prayers. decked out in their traditional best to mark the special occasion after which they will enjoy breakfast at home with the family, followed by a visit to the cemetery where deceased loved ones are remembered; graves are cleaned and cleared of overgrowth, and prayers are offered to Allah.
Children and old folks are given duit raya or gifts of money, in small green packets. (Chinese do the same during Chinese New Year except these are given in red packets). Usually, the first three days are busier as many Muslims including Ministers and political parties, hold 'open house' throughout the month, where friends and neighbours of other races are invited to join in the celebrations. During such occasions, an array of Malay delicacies such as rendang (a dry beef curry which is cooked over a slow fire for many hours) and ketupat (picture above), serunding, traditional dishes and cookies are served. Visiting each other regardless of colour or creed is a Malaysian practice that certainly binds us together as Malaysians.
Personally, I believe that Hari Raya Puasa, as well as the other festivals of other Malaysians, is a very beautiful and meaningful festival because it is a time of reflection, a time of forgiveness and reconciliation, a time to reunite and to strengthen not only family ties but also to forgive and forget past quarrels with friends and loved ones. Muslims greet each other with "Maaf Zahir Batin" which means "I seek forgiveness (from you) physically and spiritually". It is an act to ask for pardon which is done in order of seniority. The younger members of a family approach their elders (parents, grandparents etc) to seek forgiveness, to salam (Muslim equivalent of a handshake), then kiss the hands of the older person as a sign of respect, truly a very beautiful act indeed.
I would like to wish all my Muslim friends, blogger friends, blog readers/visitors and relatives "Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri". May you all have safe journeys to and fro wherever you may go and may you be blessed with meaningful moments with your loved ones.
A six year old little girl and her four-year old brother were sitting together in church. The little brother, a typical four year old boy, couldn’t stop giggling, singing and chattering. Finally, his big sister had had enough, and hissed into his ear, “You’re not suppose to talk out loud in church!”
“Why? Who’s going to stop me?” the little boy asked.
The big sister pointed to the back of the church and said, “See those two men standing by the door? They’re hushers.”
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At Sunday School, the teacher was teaching the children how God created everything, including human beings. One little boy paid special attention when he was told how Eve was created out of one of Adam’s ribs. Later in the week his mother noticed him lying down as though he were ill, and asked, "Honey, what is the matter?"
The little boy answered, "I have a pain in my side. I think I’m going to have a wife."
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It was raining outside. Not just raining, but pouring. Buckets of water were falling from the sky, and the little boy turned to his mother. “Mommy?” he said.
“Yes, darling?” his mother replied.
“It’s raining very hard, isn’t it?” the little boy asked.
“Yes, it is,” the mother answered.
“Does that mean that Jesus is taking a shower?”
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A Grandmother was talking to her young grandson, trying to explain the dangers of smoking. “Now Johnny,” she said, “you have to promise Grandma that, once you’re a grown man, you will never smoke, and never drink.”
“Never, Grandma?” asked little Johnny.
“Never, boy, not even once,” replied the grandmother.
With his eyes wide as saucers, Johnny asked “But won’t I get thirsty?”
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How can a little Chihuahua kill a Great Dane, anyway?
A guy ties his pet Great Dane dog to a lamp post, and goes into a little bar for a drink.
A man comes in and says, “Who owns the big dog tied to the lamp post outside?”
The first man says, “He’s mine.”
The second man says, “Well he’s dead.”
“He’s dead,… what happened?”
He says, “My dog killed him!”
"What kind a dog do you got?!”
He says, “A Chihuahua.”
“How can a Chihuahua kill a Great Dane?
“I don’t know, he probably got lodged in his throat!”
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Life begins at fifty, but so does bad eyesight, arthritis, and the habit of telling the same story three times to the same listeners.
Life begins at fifty, but so does bad eyesight, arthritis, and the habit of telling the same story three times to the same listeners.
Life begins at fifty, but so does bad eyesight, arthritis, and the habit of telling the same story three times to the same listeners.
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"Cash, check or charge?” I asked, after bagging items the woman wished to purchase. As she fumbled for her wallet I noticed a TV remote in her purse.
“So, do you always carry your TV remote?” I asked.
“No,” she replied, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, so I figured this was the most nasty thing that I could do to him that was still legal.”
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Airplane makes urgent call to the control tower
Proving once again that the oldest answers can still be the best
A control tower received the urgent radio message: “One engine is dead. Gasoline is leaking. One of my wing flaps is broken. My oil pressure is near zero. What should I do?”
The response: “Repeat after me, ‘Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name ...’”
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Have a nice day, dear reader! Drive safely!
Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitri to all my Muslim readers, friends and relatives.
I have often wondered why beautiful women end up with not so good-looking guys while handsome guys end up with women with dour expressions. At the same time, I notice that many shorter guys end up with taller spouses. The truth of the matter is that regardless of how unmatched a couple may be, there are certain traits of men that women find alluring, appealing and almost irresistible.
Personally, I think, it is more than just the usual appearances, looks, physique, status or wealth. I don't think a person needs to break an arm or a leg or go to extreme measures and lengths to attract someone of the opposite sex. To me, if it happens, it happens. It really depends on the individual. I find optimistic people with positive outlooks to life not only appealing and attractive, they are also more mature and emotionally stable characters.
Before writing this post, I did speak to a few friends who shared some enlightening facts with me. One lady mentioned that the greatest element that attracted her to a guy would be the scent of the guy which has automatic appeal.
At the same time, body odour is a sure turn-off! Worse still would be the deadly concoction of sweat mixed with the smell of a shirt which did not dry properly plus perfume that was sprayed to mask the combination of the other smells! Good grief!!! In sharp contrast would be the clean-smelling guy who smells of bath gel or after-shave or an alluring EDT. That coupled with good character, poise and carriage would probably make a woman swoon at the guy's feet, or so they hope, :-). Corny as it may sound, having a nice scent can surely attract a woman to a man. So, high standards of personal hygiene is a definite plus point.
Another trait that I personally find most irresistible would be a guy's sense of humor. The natural ability to make a woman smile or laugh is certainly most appealing. I believe it is natural that women find the excitement of mental stimulation. They love to listen to stories and the funnier the better. Communication is definitely a sure way of attracting a woman. However, I must admit that many women steer away from men who talk too much or are too full of themselves or who try to impress in a very fake manner.Somehow, there is natural appeal in the way a guy is able to liven up the atmosphere of a date or a get-together and once the forces of attraction are at work, it would be a beautiful courtship.
Thirdly, I believe that to attract a woman, a guy must exude confidence, not over-confidence. A woman is naturally attracted to a man who is independent, self-assured and free from hang-ups or insecurities. Most ironically, while women want men who can lead and show them the way, they steer far away from those who love to dominate them. Thus, while confidence is important, men must not be over-bearing or chauvinistic.
A guy who wants to attract a woman must have good taste in life such as in clothing, food, wine, hobbies, literature, music etc. While it is an asset to have a positive and confident personality, guys must have a keen eye on other things in life such as finer things in life such as art, culture and so on without being overly materialistic.
Fifthly, what I find MOST appealing in a man would be his level of intelligence as seen in the way he talks, thinks, writes and moves in social or business circles. At the same time, he must not be the typical show-off to dominate discussions or to put others down with sarcastic remarks but ought to remain humble, patient with the weaknesses of others and accomadating with the views of others that may differ from his own.
Please note that I have only discussed five characteristics for the sake of brevity and not because there are no other appealing traits that women find attractive in men. Also, kindly bear in mind that these are my personal views so do not blame me if the woman you like does not feel the same way as I do. I am sure there are many other traits of guys which many women find attractive such as a sporting spirit, a good physique, high standards of virtue/integrity/social responsibility, honesty, generosity, patience, tolerance and so on.
I believe that what matters is that we are our natural selves without putting on airs to impress but just being who we are to express ourselves in ways that will help others to get to know us better.
For those of you who have yet to find your partner, may you be blessed with one who loves you for who you are. For those of us who are married, may we continue to develop ourselves so that our spouses or partners may find more things about us to love and to grow to love us more and vice versa.![=] Pictures, Images and Photos](http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l381/heatherjeneSTATIC/Flowers/6y.jpg)
Do leave a comment if you so wish. Thanks for reading my post and I bid you a great day!
P.S. I have mentioned this before in older posts - the most appealing man in this world to me is my husband followed by George Clooney, Robert Redford, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck. :-)
