Erti Raya by 33

The best moment for Raya was when I was in the primary school. No responsibility, kadang-kadang pun only puasa separuh hari, playing bunga api at night, and of course getting duit raya, there was no kids that hate Hari Raya.

The fireworks was quite prevalent that days so in the night my whole street Jalan Mawar in Taman Kerian will be lightened up with kids playing bunga api. After praying, Iqbal, myself and Ashraf would literally raid every house in Taman Kerian. By estimation, there should be at least 50 houses that we managed each Raya. In the evening my mom would fetch us after a long day walking.

By secondary school, the experience went though changes. I already moved to Taman Setia Jaya. No more kids around here. So what we usually do was to Raya at kampung Tanjong Piandang. What I missed most about those days was the kampung breeze. I would took a nap time after the prayer. It was so peaceful.

I also missed atok giving duit raya during those times. She would gave all her cucu this red notes saying,"Ni atok bagi duit zakat sekali tau." Not that she knew that zakat didn't include giving to grandchildren. Not that I care though. 

The Raya come and go unnoticed by the time I was in the varsity. Too old for duit raya and too young to appreciate it making it a hard phase that I had to go through. But it was during these times that I enjoyed the balik kampung moments. The song from Sudirman and also P Ramlee was the best. By the end of my varsity days, atok passed away. So my memories of having the raya at kampung Tanjong Piandang ended with her.

But the feeling Raya when you're already working and having a job is a totally different experience. The feeling of passing the duit Raya was exceptional. Especially when I'm the earliest one between my cousins that have a monthly pay. Now, for me the Raya is all about my family. It is about giving others and it is Haziq's time. I still got the festival Raya giddiness but it is about the kid enjoying the Raya.

Alhamdullilah, I survived this year's fasting month without any sickness even though in the last week of the month my throat start to feel itchy. I hope I wouldn't celebrate Raya with any fever or cough.

Of course it couldn't be said about the other unfortunate families. One of the technician in my company lost his wife because of H1N1 during the fasting month. The families of flight MH370 and also MH17 is still grieving. The Palestinians already suffered a lot from the war broke out in the Gaza strip.

So let us take a step back and appreciate what we have during the Raya. Drive safely and come back in one piece after the Raya. Meet everyone and go kosong-kosong all the way.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri.