Sound Of Takbir Brings Back Bittersweet Hari Raya Memories
By Yulz. Sunday, 14. October 2007, 08:46:07
Bandar Seri Begawan - As The sound of Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Wa Lillah Ilham reverberated across the ramparts of the Janie' Asr Hassanil kolkiah Mosque, heralding the announcement of Hari Raya Aidil Fitri an spontaneous celebration erupted among the people present: the call of victory on the day of days!
For Muslims this glorious call holds much meaning as it brings to many a wave of emotions which fills the soul.
Takbir or Akbar - meaning "great" in Arabic - in the context of Hari Raya, according to Sharifah Hjh Mariah, a teacher from Kg Keriam in Tutong, is voiced in praise of Allah SWT after the successful completion of a month of fasting and abstinence. The call not only signifies the importance of the day itself, but also invokes a wealth of memories and a deeper sense of appreciation for our basic needs such as food and drink.
After a month of battling temptation, she pointed out, hearing the takbir for the first time indicates our victory of the test that Allah SWT has put us through.
The call itself, she said, brings back many memories for her as it reminds her of the times when she spent the first day of Raya with her late father Malai Hj Othman.
Ghiraina Hj Ghani from Seria said that she usually finds the takbir moving, as she is reminded of her loved ones during past years. It was especially overwhelming for her this year, as her grandmother recently passed away during this Ramadhan.
For 22-year-old Muaz Rashid, the season is not all about celebrating a month's worth of fasting, nor is it just about forgiveness.
"It brings back memories that will make me smile when I ponder about it, or bring tears when I reminisce about those who are not here with me anymore," said Muaz. Mirth also brightens this time of the year as his grandmother will entertain everyone with childhood stories, which strengthens the family bond. "When I visit my grandmother, she'd tell everyone about how I went missing one day when I was a kid," he said, adding that she tells the story every single year. "I'm sure going to miss that when she's not with us anymore."
For 22-year-old car saleswoman Nasrun, it becomes less fun as one grows older.
“Back when I was younger, I did not have any financial concerns. Now money is required for everything and I shoulder a lot of responsibilities,” she said. However, she looks forward to the get-together with her cousins and families on the first day. Nadya, a 20-year-old student overseas, wishes that she were home in Brunei with her family. "This is my first time spending it away from them," said Nadya, who is in her second year of a business and finance course. She misses the food and the lively atmosphere in the country, and gets tearyeyed when she hears the Takbir Raya signaling the start of the season.
"There are not many Bruneians where I am and I'm not close with anyone here," she said, "so the loneliness is more intense."
"It is also a time of reflection," she said. Her thoughts are with her recently-orphaned cousin, who lost her father due to a heart failure.
"I know how lonely and sad she must feel," said Nadya, who is grateful that sad as she is at being so far away from her parents, she can still call to talk to them.
"Hari Raya? I dont know, for me it is a cause to celebrate a victory for the Muslim ummah after completing a month of fasting, "said Maidin, a 20-year-old security guard.
This year, he will miss the festivities in his village, as he will only have two days off from his duties.
"I could not follow my families who have all returned to Miri to spend the festivities with my dad's side of the family," he said. Jai, from Kuala Belait, treats it as a month of celebration after enduring a month of fasting. It is also the time for family and friends to reunite, he said. He always looks forward to the first day of the season, when everyone meets at his' grandparents' house.
"We have a big family and my grandmother has over 70 grandchildren, so it makes everything more festive as we don't get to see each other often," explained Jai. "There is not much difference from past Aidil Fitri celebrations, but yet every year is still special to me."
He joked that the only difference this year would probably his plans to give away the green packets to children; he has put aside some money from his salary towards this purpose.
Hadi, a 28-year-old first time father, said that some years are more special to him than others.
"This year I have a daughter it feels more meaningful somehow," he said. Besides it being the time for people to forgive and forget, he also feels that Aidil Fitri means more when there are children involved.
"I hope that I live long enough to enjoy the festivities with my future grandchildren. I bet it will be really different!" said Hadi. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
For Muslims this glorious call holds much meaning as it brings to many a wave of emotions which fills the soul.
Takbir or Akbar - meaning "great" in Arabic - in the context of Hari Raya, according to Sharifah Hjh Mariah, a teacher from Kg Keriam in Tutong, is voiced in praise of Allah SWT after the successful completion of a month of fasting and abstinence. The call not only signifies the importance of the day itself, but also invokes a wealth of memories and a deeper sense of appreciation for our basic needs such as food and drink.
After a month of battling temptation, she pointed out, hearing the takbir for the first time indicates our victory of the test that Allah SWT has put us through.
The call itself, she said, brings back many memories for her as it reminds her of the times when she spent the first day of Raya with her late father Malai Hj Othman.
Ghiraina Hj Ghani from Seria said that she usually finds the takbir moving, as she is reminded of her loved ones during past years. It was especially overwhelming for her this year, as her grandmother recently passed away during this Ramadhan.
For 22-year-old Muaz Rashid, the season is not all about celebrating a month's worth of fasting, nor is it just about forgiveness.
"It brings back memories that will make me smile when I ponder about it, or bring tears when I reminisce about those who are not here with me anymore," said Muaz. Mirth also brightens this time of the year as his grandmother will entertain everyone with childhood stories, which strengthens the family bond. "When I visit my grandmother, she'd tell everyone about how I went missing one day when I was a kid," he said, adding that she tells the story every single year. "I'm sure going to miss that when she's not with us anymore."
For 22-year-old car saleswoman Nasrun, it becomes less fun as one grows older.
“Back when I was younger, I did not have any financial concerns. Now money is required for everything and I shoulder a lot of responsibilities,” she said. However, she looks forward to the get-together with her cousins and families on the first day. Nadya, a 20-year-old student overseas, wishes that she were home in Brunei with her family. "This is my first time spending it away from them," said Nadya, who is in her second year of a business and finance course. She misses the food and the lively atmosphere in the country, and gets tearyeyed when she hears the Takbir Raya signaling the start of the season.
"There are not many Bruneians where I am and I'm not close with anyone here," she said, "so the loneliness is more intense."
"It is also a time of reflection," she said. Her thoughts are with her recently-orphaned cousin, who lost her father due to a heart failure.
"I know how lonely and sad she must feel," said Nadya, who is grateful that sad as she is at being so far away from her parents, she can still call to talk to them.
"Hari Raya? I dont know, for me it is a cause to celebrate a victory for the Muslim ummah after completing a month of fasting, "said Maidin, a 20-year-old security guard.
This year, he will miss the festivities in his village, as he will only have two days off from his duties.
"I could not follow my families who have all returned to Miri to spend the festivities with my dad's side of the family," he said. Jai, from Kuala Belait, treats it as a month of celebration after enduring a month of fasting. It is also the time for family and friends to reunite, he said. He always looks forward to the first day of the season, when everyone meets at his' grandparents' house.
"We have a big family and my grandmother has over 70 grandchildren, so it makes everything more festive as we don't get to see each other often," explained Jai. "There is not much difference from past Aidil Fitri celebrations, but yet every year is still special to me."
He joked that the only difference this year would probably his plans to give away the green packets to children; he has put aside some money from his salary towards this purpose.
Hadi, a 28-year-old first time father, said that some years are more special to him than others.
"This year I have a daughter it feels more meaningful somehow," he said. Besides it being the time for people to forgive and forget, he also feels that Aidil Fitri means more when there are children involved.
"I hope that I live long enough to enjoy the festivities with my future grandchildren. I bet it will be really different!" said Hadi. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times
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