By Kamarul Halim M Kamal

BATU PAHAT, April 14 (Bernama) -- Hidayah Centre Batu Pahat, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for ‘mualaf’ (reverts) in the district, has taken a different approach to celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri, by implementing a programme that also involves non-Muslims.

Its deputy chairman Muhammad Ridhuan Tew Abdullah, said the organisation was moved to hold the programme known as Aidilfitri Culture Open House 2024 as a platform to provide an understanding of the true meaning of one of the main festivals celebrated by the Muslim community.

He said some of his non-Muslim friends were previously confused about the main reason for celebrating Aidilfitri, so much so that some thought it was a new year celebration like the Chinese New Year.

"That is why this NGO is conducting an educational programme related to Aidilfitri, including why it is celebrated, as well as other related things such as clothes, food, cultural activities and songs that are often played during Raya.

"The participants in this program include people of all ages who are non-Muslims, ranging from children to their parents," he told Bernama at the event held at the Batu Pahat Mall today.

The two-day program, which started yesterday, also received cooperation from Home School 'Alice Has a Farm'; Batu Pahat Mall; Pantai Hospital Batu Pahat; Southern Volunteers (SV) Batu Pahat; the BP Ronggeng Dance Association and Penggaram assemblyman Gan Peck Cheng.

According to Muhammad Ridhuan, those involved in the programme were also shown a live demonstration of making the popular traditional Malay delicacy ‘kuih semperit’.

The participants also had the opportunity to watch a demonstration to prepare ‘ketupat’, and even experience making the delicacy themselves.

"In addition, the children who participated in this programme were also exposed to the traditional clothes often worn during Aidilfitri, as well as a demonstration of donning the ‘tudung’ (headscarf).

"This programme is not only seen as providing exposure about Aidilfitri to non-Muslims but it is more about the spirit of unity, and at the same time, being able to respect one another’s religion and culture," he said.

He added that this programme was a continuation of the programme that was held during the month of Ramadan, where non-Muslims were also exposed to the benefits of Ramadan and had the opportunity to break their fast together with Muslims.

-- BERNAMA