Tag: Hari Raya

Family Upset About Caterer’s No-Show For Hari Raya Eve Dinner

Lontong, rendang, and sambal prawns – that was what she was looking forward to serving her extended family at a special meal on July 5, the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

But the food, which cost her $600, did not appear on the dining table.

Ms Darniyati Majid, 46, is among several customers of a catering company who claim they did not receive what they ordered and also did not get refunds.

Attempts by The New Paper to contact the owners of the company several times last week were unsuccessful.

A search with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra) shows that the business is still listed as a live company.

Ms Darniyati, a quality inspector, said: “My mother is not feeling well, so I wanted to order a feast for her to host 30 to 40 family members visiting on Hari Raya eve.”

On July 4, a day before the delivery, she sent a Facebook message to the company to confirm the delivery timing, but there was no reply.

Ms Darniyati said she was “so worried I could not sleep” so on the morning of July 5, she contacted another catering company to order food for the dinner. It cost her $300.

Later that day, someone from the catering company sent her a message via Facebook, promising to refund her for the non-delivery, but she did not get a refund.

On July 6, she made a police report. A police spokesman told TNP a report was lodged and investigations were ongoing.

Another customer, graphic designer Zara Samsudin, 37, had ordered iftar (breaking of fast) meals for the entire duration of the fasting month.

From June 7 to June 24, the orders were fulfilled, but from June 27, she stopped receiving any food.

Ms Zara said: “The owner messaged me to say that her cook had been injured (due to an incident involving) hot oil.”

She said the company gave her a full refund of $145 on July 5.

Other customers have not been as lucky.

At least four people, who posted messages online complaining about the caterer, told TNP they did not receive their orders and refunds. They said they could not reach the owners after Hari Raya.

The amounts owed are between $69 and $149, according to their claims.

One of them, housewife Sheree Deen, 28, said: “The owner keeping quiet would not assuage our worries.”

When reporters visited the owner’s flat in Woodlands last week, he was not in. A woman at the flat, who declined to be named, said the catering business had closed down the week before.

PAGE TAKEN DOWN

The company’s Facebook page, which has been taken down since Tuesday night, listed the address of a food stall in Sembawang.

When TNP visited the stall last week, the cooksaid the owner was in Johor Baru.

Mr Seah Seng Choon, executive director of the Consumers Association of Singapore (Case), advised that consumers seeking for refunds from a registered business may file a claim with the Small Claims Tribunal (SCT).

Mr Seah added: “If they get a judgment in their favour but the business refuses to pay, they can enforce the judgment by way of a writ of seizure and sale to recover their money.”

Case said no complaints have been registered against the catering company in the past.

Consumers can contact Case for advice on filing a claim at the SCT via their hotline at 6100-0315.

Ms Darniyati said: “I hope caterers won’t take orders if they can’t cope. I would not want this to happen to anyone.”

Source: The New Paper

July 18, 2016
Eid As A Struggling Single Twenty Something

As a child, I used to love celebrating Eid. I dreaded the fasting month of Ramadhan but I looked forward to new clothes, eating scrumptious rendang and ketupat, and of course, for many Asian kids – the collection of green packets filled with dollar dollar bills. Apart from visiting close relatives on the first day of Eid, you get to spend another day in Syawal with your closest friends from school visiting their houses.

It was kinda cool to bring your friends over when you were ten years old, dressed in the traditional baju kurung going around the neighbourhood and coming home at the end of the day with your bag bursting with green packets. You would know which house gave the envelope, and if you get at least $5 from that house, you’re definitely going back there again the year after.

As I grew older, however, the enjoyment of Eid started to fade away. At fifteen, I despised celebrating Eidulfitri. Eidulftri would be torturous for me since I had to appeased my newly divorced parents – I couldn’t spend more than 2 hours at my dad’s place or I’ll never hear the end of my mum’s wrath. My sisters were busy with their own families, making sure they visit the in-laws before making their way to my mum’s. And for some reason, you start not liking your relatives. I remember bursting out at my sister for coming so late int the afternoon and my make up was already ruined from the frustration of waiting around. The first day of Eid as a hormonal teenager was basically me playing the waiting game.

Eid started to change as I entered my twenties. While it was still as boring as when I was a teenager, I began to prepare the house the house willingly. I bought flowers, new cushion covers, and occasionally curtains to slowly make the house into a home. I volunteered help in the kitchen, making sure I picked up my mum’s recipes to her signature Eid dishes and perfecting them. I made cookies and sweet treats to offer to the guests coming over to my place and made sure there were all sorts of drinks available for them.

As much as I wish Eid is better now as I enter my mid-twenties, I realised that an awkward Eid is a common predicament between peers of my age. Perhaps it’s the having to part with copious amounts of money during the festive period – spending for the house and family, green packets for the little ones, awkward conversations with aunts and uncles who seem to nitpick on every aspect of your life. Or maybe it has got to do with spending Eid as a single woman, wondering when you’d be able to prepare for Eid excitedly for your kids and husband. Whatever the reason is, Eid as a struggling single twenty something is just plain boring.

I make do with baking cookies, cakes and occasionally help my mum prepare the traditional dishes we feast on the morning of Eid. House chores like literally scrubbing the floors get my mind off the fact that each Eid is the same as before – lonesome and boring. I try getting away from celebrating Eid by going to work, but I feel bad for my mum. Though to be honest, I’m quite happy working while everyone else celebrates.

One day, I’ll wake up on the morning of Eid excited to head to the mosque, dress my family up and head out for the rounds of visiting. One day, I’ll learn to appreciate the merry-making and spamming of family photos on Facebook and Instagram. One day, I’ll teach my daughter how to prepare the raya dishes and get my son to wash the windows and fix the curtains up. One day, I’ll be on my knees on the morning of Eid, with my head buried in my husband’s hand, asking for forgiveness and perhaps shedding a tear or two.

One day, that happy family portrait of mine will be hung on my wall just in time for Eid.

For now, I’ll be contented with spending the morning of Eid at home, with a cup of coffee and a bowl of lontong, watching reruns of Bujang Lapok on the telly with my three cats.

Eid Mubarak everyone.

Source: https://sharmeee.com

July 14, 2016
SG Chinese Girl: Everyone Should Experience Celebrating Aidilftri For The First Time

TOO BEAUTIFUL!!!

Here is an account from an “SG Muslims for Eid” participant who identifies as a non-religious Chinese Singaporean celebrating Eid for the first time!!!

“I saw a very pretty poster on Facebook inviting non-Muslims into Muslim homes during Eid. I signed up out of curiosity, a desire to eat good food and be amongst joyful people in celebration.

Soon I was warmly welcomed into the home of a young couple Dhaniah and Haider. About 160 friends and relatives from both sides were expected that day, some of them even they themselves have never met before. The spectrum of their friends and relatives range wide, from lawyer types to makciks who practice yoga to media types to pakciks who have done the full Haj 4 times (and Umra countless times) to a young wife who is fully clothed from head to toe. Dhaniah’s side of the family look very Chinese and are musically talented. They were actually jamming and recording music as the celebrations went on. And then there’s me, a non-religious Chinese blonde-dyed short-haired woman from the arts and media. Everyone is gentle and accepting of each other.

Despite the sheer number of relatives and friends who came pouring in and out of their home, Dhaniah and Haider managed to make me feel just at home. They introduced me to everyone who came, and everyone happily answered any questions I had about their customs and practices, particularly about the Haj. I’m most curious and fascinated with this epic pilgrimage. A lot of them went way out of their way to make me feel appreciated for my curiosity.

I was most touched by their devotion towards their personal faith, and also their close-knittedness within their families and community. One of the boys kissed my hand even though he was super shy. That’s just the cutest thing ever! I didn’t tell him, but I was blushing inside too 😛

I don’t belong to any particular faith but most of my friends do. Now is as good a time as any to learn and appreciate the part of them that I’m not familiar with. I find it timely for such interfaith learning and appreciation especially in such times of conflicts and misunderstanding around the world. Only when we feel connected will we remember that our core similarities outweigh superficial differences.

The curiosity isn’t one way. Dhaniah and Haider had a lot of questions about my secular meditation practice and they’re very eager to try it out. They’re eager to visit my home even though I told them my home is very boring. I don’t even have a TV! I’ve made some good friends and had a lovely afternoon in a house full of warmth and love (not to mention 2 very cute rabbits). I thank all the organizers of SG Muslims for Eid and especially Dhaniah and Haider for their warm hospitality. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is interested. ”

❤❤❤‪#‎SGME2016‬‪#‎InterfaithYouthCircle‬‪#‎Singapore‬

Source: Noor Mastura

July 14, 2016
Selamat Hari Raya Or Eid Mubarak?

I am a sucker for the holidays. Deepavali, Chinese New Year, Christmas — I love all the pomp and fanfare that comes along with each festival.

But my personal favourite is definitely Hari Raya because I get to enjoy it as an enthusiastic outsider so all of the kueh tarts but none of the stress.

And Hari Raya brings out the most amazing outfits. Colour-coordinated families from five-year-old son to one-year-old daughter perfectly matched by accents or fabric to the young couple posing stylishly in an Instagram perfect post at void decks across the island — all clad in sarong kebayas and baju kurungs of every possible colour.

I also love the food. A visit to the Geylang Raya bazaar is an absolute must and this year the gentrification of this tradition was both heartening and sad.

The introduction of all these newfangled trends and foods (from a rainbow bagel to macaron ice-cream sandwiches) and the queues that formed by these stalls eclipsed the staples of prawn vadai and the iconic Ramly burger stands but at least it brought more young people to the festivities and that can’t be a bad thing.

Maybe we just need a little more inventiveness — rainbow prawn vadai for next year perhaps?

Beyond the sights, sounds, colours and flavours of the bazaar — there are the spreads waiting at the welcoming homes of Muslim friends and families; Ayam Bakar Padang, Lontong, Sayur Lodeh, Sambal Sotong, Udang Sambal Petai, Ayam Masak Opor and the desserts again capturing the myriad of colours that come with this celebration.

I love all of it.

Except one thing that has become increasingly prevalent — have you noticed lately that nobody says “Selamat Hari Raya” any more. More and more people are switching to “Eid Mubarak” casually, unthinkingly and nearly instinctively.

A Malaysian friend says she noticed it almost immediately after returning to KL from abroad in 2014. Suddenly, the billboards were saying the Arabic greeting of “Eid Mubarak” instead of the native Malay “Selamat Hari Raya.”

The Sultan of Johor summed this up when he explained why he preferred to use terms like “Hari Raya” instead of “Eid al-Fitr”, or “buka puasa” instead of “iftar” as “I have been using these Malay terms since I was a child… I have no intention of replacing these terms with Arabic.”

Why are we using Arabic? It is a beautiful language and carries with it a rich culture but my concern is this culture is eclipsing the authenticity of our local culture.

Malay culture is much more than just the culture of one people — it is in many ways the spirit of this corner of the world. Black and white photographs of my mother in a well-stitched kebaya or the endless repertoire of P. Ramlee songs my Uncle can croon are all testament to this.

I worry that we are beginning to frame this South-east Asian identity as less than its Arabic counterpart and this would be a shame because losing the culture would cause us to lose so much of what makes this region proud.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist, Surekha A. Yadav

Source: www.themalaymailonline.com

July 12, 2016
From A Non-Muslim To Muslims: May The Blessed Month Of Ramadan Be Upon You Once Again

Ramadhan and Aidil Fitri

Ive talked to 3 friends yesterday. As a non Muslim, i ignorantly told them “tahan lagi! One more day and you dont have to fast!”

To my suprise, all three reprimanded me. I honestly thought they would say “insya Allah!”. Nope. Instead, they, on separate occassions, told me the same thing along this line :” no! I will miss Ramadhan and the fasting. It was a beautiful experience and i cant wait for the next Ramadhan to come!”

Long have we live under the same roof and yet we couldnt truly empathize or understand the true feelings of each other. I am quite confident that most non-Muslim friends, out of good will, would have thought that our Muslims friends and family will find relief towards the end of Ramadhan, assuming that fasting is some sort of hardship to them.

Most Muslim however will reply you quite the otherwise, that the fasting month really give them peace, solace, and is definitely a privilege to look forward to.

I then recalled Monyet King (now Pisang Raja)’s story about his maid, who never fast when she was back jn indonesia, but fasted religiously as she starts her work here in KL. The reason was simple: back in Indonesia she survived as a poor hard labour and needed to eat to work so that her family can be fed. Now that she has a better life in malaysia she can then indulge in her religious obligation to fast, of which she did so voluntarily and jovially.

The Ramadhan is truly a humbling month for all to enjoy. The annual affair reminds muslim to be forgiving, patience, and to empathize with the less fortunate. Working in a 99% Muslim organization, i must say that i felt their effort in improving their “zahir” and “batin”. I felt their peace, their forgiveness, and patience. It is a beautiful reminder to all.

Another friend told me, she looked forward to ramadhan more so than syawal’s aidil fitri. Reason is simple : Ramadhan gave her peace and she found solace with The Creator through her efforts of humbling herself. Syawal Aidil Fitri on the otherhand is just another festive and cultural celebration disproportionately blown up through heavy capitalism, consumerism, and commercialization.

A true muslim, she said, will appreciate Ramadhan more than the Eid, and i tend to concur with her.

Now that ramadhan has come to an end, I hope the month long of endurance and peace would extend to all mankind throughout the year.

Selamat Hari Raya aidil Fitri and May the next blessed and holy month of Ramadhan reach all of us in no time.

Source: Tai Zee Kin

July 10, 2016