KOTA BHARU - After wishing each other over phone calls and videos the last two years due to Covid-19 lockdowns, many Kelantan parents were almost in tears to meet their young ones coming home to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with them.
A visit to Sultan Ismail Petra Mosque in Kubang Kerian at 8:30am saw the young and old coming out in droves in laughter while catching up with one another as they walked to the mosque, a rare sight after the pandemic hit Malaysian shores in 2020.
The influx of vehicles to this east coast state caused traffic congestion but no one was complaining this time as people wished Selamat Hari Raya to one another.
Aisyah Anuar said she was excited to celebrate this year’s Raya with her family and friends and the sudden Raya added "chaos".
"Everything has to be prepared so, of course, we were all surprised with the announcement, but it was exhilarating,” she said.
However, Syaqirah Syami, 27, is going back to Kelantan after two years due to the Covid-19.
"I was taken aback by the sudden announcement. We rushed to by santan (coconut milk). Luckily the grocery shops was still open,” she told Sinar Daily.
She further added that her brother, however, did not manage to make it on time to their family home in Kota Bharu due to his work, he would be arriving later today.
Meanwhile, Syahmi Awazhar loves celebrating the festival in Kelantan. "Of course, I am excited because I get to celebrate Raya with my in-laws after so long," he said.
Despite the sudden announcement, he said he was well-prepared due to early preparations and had arrived in Kelantan four days prior to the festivities to avoid traffic snarls.
Meanwhile, in Kuala Terengganu, Sultan Muhammad Mosque was packed by 8am with parents bringing their young ones while others bringing their nephews and nieces for Raya gathering.
The air was filled with excitement as chatted away after two years while others immediately took out their cellphones to take wefie as a memory.
The mosque’s chairman, Tuan Ahmad Tuan Besar said he is grateful to see people flooding the mosque after the Covid-19.
"We are estimating about 1,500 people at the top floor and 700 people for the lower floor of the mosque.
"Alhamdulillah we are back on how it used to be . Just like Friday prayers and Terawih prayers, it will be full as usual,” said Tuan to Sinar Daily.
However, Siti Nur Balqis, a stewardess headed home after three years due to a hectic study-work schedule in 2019 and a year later due to Covid-19 lockdowns.
"I have not seen my brother and mother for three years. I am so excited to spend this Raya with them," said Siti Nur Balqis.
She further said, it is a surreal feeling to see the crowd at the mosque with strangers smiling at one another, furthet filling the atmosphere with joy.
Meanwhile, Amira Mohd feels overwhelmed after returning from Petaling Jaya as she returns to her ‘kampung’ after two years
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"I had just broke fast when the announcement came of Hari Raya to fall on May 2 instead of May 3. I rushed back her," she said.