Balik Kampung: Putting up in hotel is not about showing off but for comfort
20 Apr 2023 07:30am
More families are putting up in hotels during Raya for comfort
However, some feel say it may be improper to put up in a hotel while others say its the best decision to overcome lack of space at home.
Social expert Professor Datuk Dr Mohammad Shatar Sabran believes that some family members are more comfortable staying in a hotel to manage their needs during the celebration.
He added there could only be one bedroom in a kampung house, adding that putting up in a hotel is not about showing off.
"Logically, if staying in a hotel is solely for the purpose of showing off, then they would not have returned to their hometown and would have just stayed in the city," he told Sinar.
He further said generally, the status of people's lives today is different from the past.
The availability of various hotels that offer reasonable prices can provide options for families to stay in a more comfortable environment during the festive season in their hometown.
However, according to Shatar, this situation is not expected to have any negative impact.
"They still come home and gather in one house, but when it's time to sleep, they return to the hotel.
It is not about disliking certain family member but simply to provide comfort," he said.
"From a social standpoint, this is not a problem and a necessity to avoid unwanted situations," he said.
Penang Mufti Datuk Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor said it is not wrong for children to rent a hotel or an accommodation as long as they can celebrate the festival together.
This is because some houses are crowded and family members returning home may have to sleep in the living room, causing some uneasiness within women.
However, before deciding to rent a hotel or village accommodation, it is advisable to explain the matter to parents to avoid misunderstandings, he said.
Meanwhile, preacher Asma Harun believes that the issue of maintaining modesty is not the main reason why people may need to rent a hotel or an accommodation.
In the past, people also faced similar situations, but they did not consider it a barrier to celebrate the festival together in the same house. They had their own alternatives, such as putting up mosquito nets, prioritising women to sleep in the room, and providing a special room for changing clothes, she said.
If there is extra money, family members can build or add more rooms for everyone's convenience, she said.
Asma added that it is not wrong for family members to rent a hotel as long as the relationship between parents, siblings, and relatives is maintained.
