Local celebrities tell Syahirah Mokhtazar about their fondest memories of Hari Raya Aidilfitri gatherings
THIS is the season to forgive, give and receive because Hari Raya Aidilfitri is here! It’s the opportunity to spend time with family, catch up with relatives and bond with our loved ones over lemang, rendang and the like.
From collecting duit raya as children to stuffing ourselves with too much rendang, we all have our fondest memories of Syawal. And it’s no different for celebrities.
ANZALNA AND AFIFAH NASIR (actresses)
Afifah: “I will always remember our Hari Raya celebrations back when we were living in Australia years ago. Celebrating Syawal abroad is a bittersweet feeling as it is an entirely new experience and it makes you miss home so badly.
“When we were in Australia, my family and I gathered with the Muslim community to celebrate Raya together. There weren’t many of us so we became like family.”
Anzalna: “Being able to celebrate with Muslims of different ethnicities opened my eyes to other cultures. It was a good experience, something my sisters and I will always remember.”
This year, the sisters will be travelling to Muar, Johor and Penang to meet relatives.
Afifah: “Raya mornings will be busy as we have a big extended family. There’s something about Raya morning madness that gives me comfort. When the men are at the mosque performing Raya prayers, the women are at home getting ready, and it’s always such fun catching up.”
Favourite Raya dishes: Lemang and rendang.
Favourite Raya songs: Air Mata Syawal and Nazam Lebaran by Siti Nurhaliza.
LISA SURIHANI (actress) AND HUSBAND YUSRY HALIM
(actor-director)
Lisa: “What I miss most during Raya holidays is my late father. He was all about spending time with the family and made things really fun. For example, when making visits, he made everyone squeeze into one car so that we could all be together. Although when we got married, we started our own traditions, every year, we go house-hopping to visit relatives the first few days.
Yusry: “My children, Leo and Leanne, make our Raya even more special, compared to when it was just my wife and I. It’s exciting to prepare for Raya with them around.”
Besides spending time with his family, Yusry is also looking forward to having his cup of coffee.”I’m a big coffee drinker and I usually have one in the morning but sahur (predawn meal) is a little too early for me to down it.
“Come Raya morning, Lisa will prepare a really nice cup for me to kickstart my day before we celebrate.”
Favourite Raya dish:
(Lisa) Laksa Johor, because my father was a Johorean. Oh, and kuah kacang (peanut sauce)!;
(Yusry) I’m a pretty simple guy, I’m good with lemang and rendang.
Favourite Raya song: Selamat Hari Raya by Ahmad Jais
SCHA AL-YAHYA (actress) AND HUSBAND AWAL ASHAARI (actor-host)
Awal: “My fondest memory of Raya was the first one I celebrated after marrying into Scha’s family. I don’t have a kampung so that balik kampung experience when we travelled to Scha’s hometown in Sg. Petani, Kedah was awesome. (This year, the couple won’t be heading to Sg. Petani and will be celebrating Syawal in KL). We’re very lucky to have parents now living in Kuala Lumpur, so this year, we’re part of the #teamrayaKL.”
A Raya memory Scha cherishes most is the day the couple welcomed Syawal with their little one, Lara Alana.
Scha: “That was our first Raya as parents, so that was one of our best Raya celebrations,”
Favourite Raya dishes: Rendang, ketupat palas
Favourite Raya songs: Dendang Perantau by P.Ramlee (Awal) and Selamat Hari Raya by Saloma (Scha).
HAEL HUSAINI (singer)
“Every Raya, my family and I head to my kampung in Seri Menanti, Negri Sembilan. I love my hometown because there are so many things to do and explore, especially when I was younger. I was quite a playful child. Going fishing at a river near my house was a regular activity.
“One day I was chased by a cow while walking to the river! I ran and ran, only to land in a pool of mud, disgusting but funny, and it’s something I’ll never forget!”
He cherishes being able to gather with his family and bond over food during Syawal. ”It’s the best combination — family and food!”
Favourite Raya dish: Rendang minang is a must!
Favoruite Raya song: Suasana Di Hari Raya by Anuar Zain and Elina
KAMAL ADLI (actor)
“I am a kampung boy at heart, so going back to my hometowns in Kedah and Pahang is something I always look forward to. Every year, my family gathers and we travel in a convoy; it’s fun because it feels like one long joy ride.
I have a huge family. On the eve of Syawal, the cousins help to clean up the house. I think this is the only time cleaning doesn’t feel like a chore!
Going from house to house in the kampung on foot with his cousins is a tradition they have kept to since youngsters.
“It’s nice, it brings back memories of us as kids, going around to collect duit raya.”
They also take short staycations when in Kedah or Pahang. “If I’m in Kedah, we put up a night or two in Langkawi but if I’m in Pahang, we go to Cherating.”
Favourite Raya dishes: Lemang, ketupat and rendang tok
Favourite Raya song: Suasana Di Hari Raya by Anuar Zain and Elina
SITI SALEHA (actress)
This year marks her first celebrating Syawal as a married woman. And she’s looking forward to it as she will experience Raya in her husband’s hometowns in Penang and Johor.
“I don’t have a kampung, so this year marks my first celebration outside of Kuala Lumpur,” she said.”Being of Malay and British descent, I was not raised to be traditional when it comes to Raya.
“My family never practised the tradition of asking for forgiveness, so this year will be a little different as I have to ask for forgiveness from my husband!” added Saleha, who has chosen purple as her theme colour this year.
Favourite Raya dish: Ketupat.
Favourite Raya song: Suasana Di Hari Raya by Anuar Zain and Elina.
IZARA AISHAH (actress) AND HUSBAND ADIB KHALID (entrepreneur)
When they were dating, Izara would always get a text from Adib on the morning of Raya Aidilfitri wishing she was there with him at his family home to welcome Syawal together.
Adib: “After years of Izara visiting as a guest, I finally get to celebrate Raya with her as husband and wife. It’s a nice feeling,”
But it will also be a bittersweet Raya for Izara this year as she will not be celebrating the first Raya morning with her own family
Izara: “We will be at Adib’s family home first before we head back to my place, so that means I won’t be seeing my mother on the morning of Syawal. I am really close to my mum so that makes me feel a little sad. But I’m so happy and excited to celebrating Raya with my new family.
Favourite Raya dish: (Izara) Roti kerca.
Favourite Raya song: All of the classic ones!
Get the latest World Cup 2018 scores, highlights and updates from our dedicated World Cup page