Indonesia recently announced that its Idul Fitri (Aidilfitri) has been pushed back to 28th – 31st December instead of 26th – 29th May. Is Malaysia following suit?
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Religious Affairs will be meeting with the government to discuss the possibility of pushing back the festive holiday.
“It will not just be about Hari Raya but also on other matters such as the terawih prayers (special prayers performed during the nights of Ramadan) that the minister will discuss and propose. So, let’s wait for what he has to say. Let us start fasting first,” said Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
Last week, Penang Mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor shared that the government could consider postponing the Raya holidays to a later date as it is acceptable in Islam. This is to prevent people from returning back to their respective hometowns.
“With reasonable excuse, the Hari Raya holidays can be postponed for the sake of preventing people from gathering at one place. It is permissible (harus) in Islam and the government has the right to do so. What more if this is to prevent the spread of an infectious disease that could harm lives,” Wan Salim told FMT.
Better be safe than sorry right?
