KUALA LUMPUR: Syawaluddin, a resident of the Narcotic Addiction Rehabilitation Centre (Puspen) in Kuala Lumpur, was moved to tears upon hearing the "Raya Takbir" during his first Eid away from his family.
Fondly known as Syawal, the 35-year-old was named after the month of Hari Raya Aidilfitri as he was born on the first day of Syawal, just before Eid prayers.
This year, he would celebrate his third Eid at Puspen, where he voluntarily admitted himself.
"In my first Hari Raya away from home, I kept to myself for the first two days of Hari Raya. I stayed quiet.
"I felt tearful, sad, but I have to accept that this is the consequence of my actions," he said.
Despite feeling sad, Syawal remained optimistic that he could still have a meaningful celebration with the community at Puspen.
Together with his friends, the officers, and director, Syawal planned to cook lemang and dodol among other dishes to enliven the festive spirit.
"We will also have a movie screening and inter-hostel karaoke competition.
"The celebration here could help me forget the celebration outside (of Puspen) and at the same time I could experience the same (festive) atmosphere, just with a different community and not my beloved family," the Kuantan-born said.
Another Puspen resident, Faris, is determined that this year's Raya would be his last away from his family.
"I have celebrated two Eids here (in Puspen), and of course, I am saddened that I am away from my wife and kids.
"Maybe next year, I could celebrate as a normal person, a new person, and not the person that I was before this," he said.
Meanwhile, for Bujang, another Puspen resident, Eid would carry a different meaning for him this year, as he would celebrate it with devotion.
"I am really excited for Eid this year because it is here (in Puspen) that I had fasted for the entire 30 days of Ramadan and God willing, another six days in Syawal, so I am really excited," he said.
Bujang, who is in his fifth rehab stint, said he does not have high hopes that his family would visit him this year.
"If they are not busy, they would come to visit me... but when I'm in here or in prison, I told them only to come if they're free," he said.