Raya open house etiquette: Do's and don’ts

After the month of Ramadan comes to an end, Syawal is greeted with much merriment with the celebration of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

Also known as Eid al-Fitr, this much anticipated festive season is celebrated on a grand scale by Muslims all over the world.

In Malaysia, Muslims will open their doors to welcome guests of all races and religions to a grand feast of scrumptious Malay traditional food, an assortment of confectionery (kuih-muih) and snacks.

Let's take a look at a few golden rules when visitng the house of others.

Inform the host before visiting their house

Make sure you inform the host ahead of time and respect their schedule. If you want to bring additional guests, check with your host first.

To give salam upon entering the house.

This is to announce your arrival.

When you enter the house, greet your host with "Assalamualaikum," and you will be answered with "Waalaikumsalam," which means "peace be with you."

Do not lurk and spy around the house

Behave, and do not lurk and spy around the premises of the house. Just smile and sit down properly. Be calm and sit at designated places approved by the host.

Make sure your children are well-behaved

Before you get out, explain to your child that you will want them to keep their feet and shoes off the furniture and that running indoors is not permitted. If you're visiting a family without children, bring something for your youngster to entertain themselves with, such as books, small games, or colouring books.

Do not make the visit too long; show gratitude; pray for them; and say thank you before leaving the house.

So there you have it, the dos and don'ts when going for Raya open houses.