KUALA LUMPUR: THIS year's Hari Raya celebration will see a marked difference for Muslims as it will not only be a low-key event but will also be confined to immediate family members.
Freelance writer Syarrizuan Abdul Rashid said Hari Raya this year would be just him, his mother and aunt. They will be celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri in Shah Alam.
He said the initial plan was to have the Hari Raya do at his sister's house in USJ, Subang Jaya.
"It is a tradition for us to gather at her house and cook Hari Raya dishes together.
"However, as Covid-19 cases in the country have yet to subside and after several discussions among us, we decided to celebrate Hari Raya this year at our own homes," he said when contacted.
Syarrizuan said his mother, Aishah Abdul Aziz will turn 72 soon, while his aunt Azizah Abdul Aziz just turned 67.
"At such an age, both of them are at greater risk of getting infected, and what scares us the most is being asymptomatic among us if we were to proceed with our Hari Raya do at my sister's house."
He said it was not easy to explain to his mother that she would be celebrating Hari Raya with just her sister and her son, while her two other children would be celebrating at their respective homes.
"At first, she was sad when we told her that we will be celebrating Hari Raya on our own.
"For her, Hari Raya is all about togetherness. But I told her that Insha Allah (God willing), we can gather during Hari Raya Aidiladha."
Syarrizuan said he had informed other relatives and neighbours that he would not be receiving guests.
"They were okay with it and they, too, will not risk the possibility of getting infected or infecting others with Covid-19."
He added that Hari Raya must go on even if it was being held on a moderate scale.
"We will be preparing extra Hari Raya dishes and sending them to neighbours staying on the same floor on the day."
Retiree Noraini Harun said she, too, would not be receiving guests.
"This year Hari Raya will be a moderate one for us as the Covid-19 outbreak is still ongoing and at this age, my husband and I are at risk of getting infected.
"I have already informed my relatives and neighbours that we will not be accepting guests and hope to see them during Hari Raya Aidiladha."
She added that she would be cooking extra dishes and sending them to her neighbours.
Noraini, 60, said the family would usually travel to her husband's hometown in Kota Baru for Hari Raya but would have to stay put this year due to the interstate travel ban.
She is looking forward to celebrating Hari Raya with her grandson, who turned two recently.
"My son and daughter-in-law, who are staying nearby, will come and visit us on the first day of Hari Raya."
On May 15, Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah had advised Muslims to celebrate Hari Raya at home, in a closed-door fashion, to protect their families from the coronavirus.
He said the move, although unprecedented, would help to keep families protected, especially the elderly, handicapped, and those with comorbidities.
A tour guide, who wanted to be known only as Ayuni, said she would be receiving guests on the first day of Hari Raya.
"Just a small gathering on the first day of Hari Raya for my relatives staying in the vicinity since we cannot go back to Johor and for close friends, who are stranded here as the interstate travel ban is still in force."
Ayuni said she would come up with a time arrangement and inform her by-invitation-only guests a day before Hari Raya so that there were only a certain number of guests at her home at one time.
She added that there would be a break of 30 minutes before the next batch of guests, to allow her to disinfect the surfaces.
Ayuni said she would be taking precautions by providing hand sanitisers and face masks, in case her guests turn up without one.
"Of course, there will be no salam and no kissing too. This is our new normal and we need to stay vigilant and not let our guard down."