A Raya to Restore Our Freedom

Is a Hari Raya of video calls and virtual hang-outs the answer to curbing Malaysia’s fourth wave?

After ordering for my grandma lemang and rendang from an Ipoh seller I found online, I called her up to assure her that she won’t have to cook this year in case people singgah beraya (visit for raya). “Opah, there’s food coming for you. But I don’t know when we can visit.” I didn’t have the heart to say the second sentence. As the MCO 3.0 would have it, my grandma, like many others immobilized by the interstate travel ban, are spending Hari Raya Aidilfitri away from their loved ones – but this is temporary, right? 

Yes. 

This year marks the second Hari Raya Malaysians are celebrating under the conditions of the “new normal”. However, much has changed since 2020 as we have better adapted to a new way of living. With more use of online food and grocery deliveries, phone and Zoom calls, and the reliance on the MySejahtera app to register our physical visits – thank God for technology – celebrating this festivity in the confinements of our own district, doesn’t really feel that confined. Especially when you consider the actual battle being fought by our healthcare professionals.

The infection cases of COVID-19 in the past four months has already surpassed three times more than that of the total cases in 2020 (source). Though the Malaysian public is not foreign to the precautions required in curbing this spread; our increasing neglect of SOPs in public spaces have led to daily infection incidents at a consistent 4-digit high. With the surge of infections leaving some hospitals low on ICU beds since April, the pressure is not slowing down (source). 

As Hari Raya approaches, a celebration of which Malaysians consider a month-long occasion, it is highly encouraged for Muslims across the nation to turn to video calls and virtual hang outs this festive season; as whether or not technicalities around the MCO exist in the road, we have much more to lose if the neglect of SOP persists. 

Hari Raya Aidilfitri marks a celebration following the end of Ramadan, the sacred month where Muslims fast and strive towards perfecting their character. The wisdom of fasting goes further than harbouring self control over food as said by the Prophet (ﷺ), “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink” (source). Thus, a model fasting etiquette requires one to meet social obligations, and live honestly while avoiding the infliction of harm – an etiquette much needed in today’s dire pandemic situation.

As we depart from Ramadan, will the practice of upholding social obligations be emulated in this year’s celebration of Hari Raya? The answer is, it really depends. As stated in the Quran (2:256) “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path…”  Ramadan has trained Muslims on how to live up to the ideal, but at the end of the day, each individual is still subject to complete agency over their actions. Thus, though the option of having a virtual Raya is readily available and more permissive under MCO conditions of road blocks and police stops, are we willing to take account of communal necessity and stay put at home, or are we still compelled to find loopholes?

Irrespective of religion, we as Malaysians are given ample freedom to participate fully in the political, economic, and cultural life of society. However, with this pandemic already taking over 1,700 lives (source), we as a nation must consider if our right to celebrate this Hari Raya Aidilfitri exceeds the societal need to prevent a fourth-wave from happening. 

Thus, put your cars away this Hari Raya, and show your loved ones you really care by giving them a call. Remember, this lockdown is temporary only if we work together. #TogetherDespiteTheDistance #JauhDiMataDekatDiHati