.jpg)
Mihar Dias (C) Copyright April 2024
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, Muslims around the world prepare to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of fasting with joyous festivities. For many, this occasion is not just a religious observance but also a time to reconnect with family and cherished traditions.
However, in recent years, the landscape of these celebrations has been shifting, with a growing emphasis on modern comforts over traditional settings, leading to profound changes in family dynamics and cultural practices.
Malay Mail reports that Jannah Risma, a 27-year-old data analyst from Kuala Lumpur, reminisces about the days when her family would embark on a journey to her grandparents' house in Temerloh, Pahang, for Eid celebrations.
The excitement of reuniting with extended family members and the warmth of spending time together in the ancestral home are memories that she treasures.
However, as families grow larger and living spaces become more cramped, the once-spacious rooms of her grandparents' house have become insufficient to accommodate everyone comfortably.
This has led Jannah and many others to opt for renting homestays near their hometowns to ensure that everyone has a comfortable place to stay without overcrowding.
Similarly, Syahmi Awazhar, a 31-year-old dentist from Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, has observed a rising trend among people choosing to rent homestays when returning to their hometowns for Eid celebrations.
For Syahmi, ensuring the privacy and comfort of his growing family has become a priority, especially with his wife expecting their second child. Living under the same roof with extended family members can be challenging, particularly concerning the need for privacy and the observance of modesty, or "aurat," which requires women to cover intimate body parts.
Renting a homestay provides Syahmi and his family with the space and comfort they need to enjoy the festivities without compromising on their values.
Wan Atiqah Wan Ahmad, a 27-year-old teacher from Kuala Berang, Terengganu, shares similar sentiments, citing the limitations of traditional kampung houses in accommodating modern needs. For Wan Atiqah, renting a homestay near her grandparents' house has become a necessity, as it ensures her comfort and privacy during the celebrations.
She highlights the challenges of sharing limited space with extended family members, especially concerning hygiene and personal space, which can detract from the joy of the festivities.
The shift towards prioritising modern comforts during Eid celebrations is also driven by environmental factors, such as the climate crisis and rising temperatures, which have made traditional village houses less comfortable. The need for air conditioning, especially for women wearing the hijab and festive traditional attire, has become essential to cope with the heat.
Additionally, the availability of facilities like Wi-Fi and hygienic toilets has become a necessity rather than a luxury, reflecting the changing expectations of urban Malaysians accustomed to modern amenities.
Despite the growing trend of renting homestays for Eid celebrations, many, like Syahmi, emphasize the importance of spending quality time with family, even if it means returning to the homestay only to sleep. While the modern comforts of a homestay may not replicate the nostalgic charm of a traditional kampung house, they offer a practical solution to accommodate larger families and ensure everyone's comfort and well-being during the festivities.
In conclusion, as tastes change and modern comforts become increasingly important, the celebration of Eid al-Fitr is evolving, with families seeking a balance between tradition and convenience.
While the shift towards renting homestays may change the dynamics of Eid celebrations, the essence of the occasion remains rooted in family bonds and cherished traditions, reminding us of the importance of adapting to changing times while preserving the values that define us.
Submit any #RAYA2024-related content for a chance to win worth up to RM8,100! T&C apply. Find out how you can participate here.
Mihar Dias is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
The User Content (as defined on Newswav Terms of Use) above including the views expressed and media (pictures, videos, citations etc) were submitted & posted by the author. Newswav is solely an aggregation platform that hosts the User Content. If you have any questions about the content, copyright or other issues of the work, please contact Newswav.
