Hari Raya Aidilfitri (or Eid al-Fitr) is less than 10 days away and in Singapore, it will be a different experience this year due to COVID-19.
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For Muslims in Singapore, there will be no Raya visits this year, as advised by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS). In a statement released today, MUIS advised Muslims to "abide by the Circuit Breaker measures and refrain from visiting relatives living in other households" unless important caregiving is required for elderly relatives. They also advised that those going out to purchase festive items "should do so individually and keep their trips as short as possible."
MUIS also said, "This will be a special Hari Raya season that requires all of us to remain vigilant, resilient and united. We must take a serious view of the COVID-19 threat, exercise social responsibility, and keep our loved ones and the larger Singapore society safe."
Credit: Masjid Sultan Singapore on Facebook
While you won't be able to head to the mosque for the congregational Eid prayers, you can still do so with family members living in the same household as you. Muslims in Singapore can tune in to a live stream of the takbir (communal prayer call) on the evening before Hari Raya (23 May). The takbir will be led by Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir and other asatizah in Singapore, with the Mufti addressing the Muslim community afterwards. You can head over to SalamSG TV's YouTube Live as well as Facebook Live on the pages of MUIS and mosques.
On Hari Raya itself (24 May), you can also join in the live takbir on the Malay radio station Warna 94.2 FM or online through Facebook pages on the local mosques. After the prayers, the Mufti will give a live Hari Raya sermon which you can listen to on the radio and through various online channels like SalamSG TV.
In the same statement, MUIS also said that Muslims who are planning to go on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca later this year will automatically be rescheduled for 2021.
P.S. If you're looking for ideas to celebrate Raya at home, we've got you covered with these 11 fun ways! For those of you who are thinking of redecorating your house, here are 7 easy and budget-friendly ways to spruce up your home for Raya!