Looks Like Hari Raya Holidays Might Be Postponed This Year
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It looks like Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations this year will be a muted one as the government is contemplating on postponing the public holiday.
The Hari Raya holidays are expected to be from 24-26 May.
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said that the decision is pending the guidance of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of religious affairs, Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.
So, let’s wait for what he has to say. Let us start fasting first.
Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Senior Minister.
When asked by The Star, Dr Zulkifli said that Hari Raya celebrations can go on as Muslims are are obligated to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri on the first day of Syawal.
However, the festivities such as open houses can be delayed.
Even the Penang mufti weighed in on the issue, supporting the postponement of the holidays to prevent a mass exodus of people back to their hometowns.
He told FMT that pushing back the official Raya holidays is acceptable in Islam, especially during an emergency like the Covid-19 pandemic.
There is no word yet on when the decision will be made, but Dr Zulkifli remarked that the possibility will be discussed with the National Fatwa Council to get the views of the clerics.
While postponing the Hari Raya holidays will be a difficult decision to make, it’s not unheard of.
Indonesia is postponing their Hari Raya holidays to 28-31st December to prevent the country’s largest internal mass movement as they fight to control the infections.
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