I have been in the UK for 15 years and this is the 15th year I personally experience how divided Muslims are. This is the 15th year that I see Hari Raya, or as we call it here, Eid, being celebrated on different days. This year, I am celebrating Eid on Tuesday 30 September 2008. But many are celebrating it on Wednesday 1 October.
We can’t even decide whether tomorrow is 1 Syawal or 30 Ramadhan. I think one day someone will almost surely create a “Yo’ Mama” joke about Muslims, along the lines of “Yo’ Mama is soooo bad, she has to ask a foreign country what day tomorrow is!”
Anyway, regardless of that, the Malaysian families in Luton is celebrating Eid on Tuesday 30 September. So, tonight, for the first time in our history in Luton, we did our takbir from house to house.
The beauty of this takbir is, somehow the takbir naturally turned into an evening where we encouraged the children and youngsters to lead the takbir. Boys who were not even 9 years old took turn to lead a group of adults in the takbir. Yes, perhaps there were many mistakes. But it was a very good night with everyone taking part.
Takbir Raya 2008 at my house
We started at 9.30pm at my house, moved to several houses, and didn’t finish until about 12.30midnight. I will try to upload a video tomorrow. For now, must go to bed. Still have to work as usual tomorrow.
If anyone wants to come to Luton’s jamuan raya / open house, we are doing it at my local community centre this Saturday 4 October.
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