Selamat Hari Raya!

I survived! I did it! I fasted for two weeks and I'm still alive. In the end it was not so bad. I would wake up at 5 in the morning and eat sahur with my family then eat buka puasa with my family eaither at home or we would go out. After two weeks of fasting for me and 29 days for my family, it was time to celebrate Hari Raya!
Hari Raya Aidilfitri more commonly known as Eid al-Fitr is the celebration that takes place after the month of Ramadan. After 29 days of fasting, this celebration is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims all around the world.
On the first day of Raya, all the families wore matching baju rayas and brand new shoes and bags. People have been preparing for this day weeks in advance. Going shopping, baking cookies, and cleaning there houses. Many families will go to their hometown like my family did.

This year our color was purple 

There we had a big feast. Then everyone lined up to ask for forgiveness from there elders, husbands, wives, and siblings for any wrong doing they have done in the past. It was a very emotional moment for my family members. Many people from Malaysia will travel across the country to ask for forgiveness from their family members. Afterwards, envelopes of money called duit raya were given to the children and teenagers. Some families do not give teenagers envelopes though; just the kids receive one.

Host father asking for forgiveness from his father in law

Kuih

Received a lot of duit raya :)

This goes on for 29 days here in Malaysia. Everyday families and friends will visit one another and eat kuih (bite sized snacks) and then give and receive envelopes from family. At night, the kids will go outside and play with firecrackers and fireworks. This is a beautiful celebration because it brings family together and allows people to start fresh for there sins have been forgiven.

Me and my host sister playing with firecrackers