BY: AFIF AMJADUZZAHWI

When the ‘anak bulan’ was sighted by the authorities, the Keeper of the Ruler’s Seal immediately announced that Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be celebrated on April 10, thus signifying the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

The news was welcomed and greeted with much happiness by all Malaysians who looked forward to participating in celebrating the event but the mood was toned down and mute to an extent probably due to the economic slowdown.

But there were still celebrations, a number on a grand scale and Muslims organized ‘open houses’ and welcomed their non Mulims friends to join and there was a festive air this year that was bright yet mellow.

Cities and towns throughout the country became void and empty of the hordes of people that usually hang around or go about daily business as many Malaysians took the opportunity to ‘balik kampung’ or return to their hometowns.

The highways, byways and trunk roads were chock-a-block with traffic at a crawling pace as many escaped from the hustle and bustle of the city stress to return to their villages to celebrate the occasion with families, relatives and friends.

Celebrations were not very different from other years as Muslims stuck to traditional ways and enjoyed themselves and there was a spirit of unity and camaraderie fostered among Malaysians of all walks of life this year.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher