Hari Raya Aidilfitri for Muslims to fortify their relationships with families, parents, relatives & neighbours #RAYA2025

Family & Parenting
15 Mar 2025 • 8:00 AM MYT
Zulkifly Baharom
Zulkifly Baharom

An HR practitioner, Sejahtera Leadership Coach & Gusi Peace Prize Laureate.

Image from: Hari Raya Aidilfitri for Muslims to fortify their relationships with families, parents, relatives & neighbours #RAYA2025
Fortunately for Malaysians, the joys of Hari Raya can be felt admiring the decorations at every nooks & corners of shopping complexes, workplaces, and schools. Photo: Zarina
Image from: Hari Raya Aidilfitri for Muslims to fortify their relationships with families, parents, relatives & neighbours #RAYA2025
During walkabouts at Gurney Plaza, a nine-storey shopping complex within Georgetown in Penang, Zarina (left) & Zul found a traditional Malay home. Photo: Zarina
Image from: Hari Raya Aidilfitri for Muslims to fortify their relationships with families, parents, relatives & neighbours #RAYA2025
Amazing at women's handbags - Coach, a global fashion house founded from New York, decorated its outlet with colourful Hari Raya lanterns. Photo: Farzana

Celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid Al-Fitr around the world marks the end of Ramadan and in Malaysia the start of festive feasting. Hari Raya, with its emphasis on family, community, and gratitude, exemplifies the essence of strengthening the power of connections.

For my family, amidst the flurry of preparations and festivities, there lies a golden opportunity to deepen our existing connections. It's spending quality time, strengthening bonds with parents, relatives, friends, and nurturing relationships with colleagues, this Hari Raya provide a natural backdrop for meaningful interactions to take place. From heartfelt conversations over a shared meal to engaging in cheerful conversations, these moments foster a sense of belonging & purpose to reinforce the bonds that sustain throughout the year.

My wife, Zarina & I can fondly remember that just a few years ago, when our parents were still around, our siblings and families would brave the heavy traffic to return home (balik kampung) up north in Kuala Kangsar and Taiping. We did not mind the long hours driving on the road from KL as we immense ourselves in the spirit of Hari Raya Aidilfitri for togetherness with eldests that are highly valued.

After the demise of our parents, Zarina & I have taken the role of eldests to exemplify the real essence of strengthening connections specially for our grandchildren. This spirit of family reunion and togetherness permeates every aspect seeking for blessed celebration.

So, for our family in the spirit of Hari Raya, where forgiveness and reconciliation are the central themes, extending an olive branch to those we've lost touch with can be incredibly rewarding. Whether through a heartfelt message, a phone call, or a face-to-face visiting, reaching out during holidays with greetings of 'Eid Mubarak' & ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ pave the way for renewed sence of connections.

Yes, by embracing the spirit of togetherness and fostering meaningful connections make Hari Raya memorable and transformative for members of my family and those around us.


Image from: Hari Raya Aidilfitri for Muslims to fortify their relationships with families, parents, relatives & neighbours #RAYA2025

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