Muslim pilgrims pray in Mecca
Cover Here's what you need to know about Hari Raya Haji (Photo: Getty Images)

Hari Raya Haji falls on June 29 this year. Here’s everything you need to know

Hari Raya Haji falls this week on June 29, marking a sacred day for Muslims who will be commemorating it. In a multiracial and multireligious society like Singapore, the occasion is also an official public holiday. 

Also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, Hari Raya Haji marks the 70th day after Ramadan which is a month of fasting for Muslims. Hari Raya Haji is also one of the two major Muslim festivals in Singapore and it involves pilgrimages and donating meat to the needy after sacrificing an animal.

On this day, we see Muslims attend prayer services, sacrifice livestock (Korban) and spend time with family and loved ones. Below, we take a closer look at the significance of this special day.

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1. When does Hari Raya Haji occur?

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Ramadan moon is coming over mosque sky
Above Hari Raya Haji is based on the sightings of the new moon (Photo: Getty Images)

Like all Islamic festivals, the date for Hari Raya Haji is based on the sightings of the new moon. This means that the date will differ each year, according to the Gregorian calendar. In Singapore, the Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura (MUIS) determines the date of the celebration each year. According to Singapore Infopedia, Hari Raya Haji occurred twice in 2006—in January and December. 

2. What is Hari Raya Haji?

Hari Raya Haji marks a day in which Muslims commemorate the faith and trust that Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) had in God when Ibrahim was commanded to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael).

In the story, Prophet Ibrahim faithfully goes to sacrifice his son. However, God stops him at the last minute and gives him an animal to sacrifice instead of his son. Later, they are said to have been guided by God to build the Kaaba which is a square building in the centre of the Great Mosque in Mecca. It is considered to be the holiest site for Muslims.

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3. Hari Raya Haji marks the end of Haj

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Muslim pilgrims pray in Mecca
Above Muslim pilgrims praying in Mecca (Photo: Getty Images)

On top of commemorating the faith and trust that Prophet Ibrahim, Hari Raya Haji also marks the end of the sacred Muslim pilgrimage which is commonly known as the Haj.

In Islam, it is said that all able-bodied Muslims who can afford it should undertake a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in their lives. This will typically retrace the journey the prophet Muhammad took to Mecca and it has to be done on the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Hari Raya Haji marks the end of this pilgrimage. 

4. How do Muslims commemorate it?

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Above Photo: Unsplash

In the morning of Hari Raya Haji, worshippers will usually gather in mosques for prayers before they carry out a ritualistic sacrifice of an animal. This is called the Korban. Worshippers contribute live animals such as sheep and goats, which are slaughtered by a quick slit to the jugular as prayers are recited.

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5. What is Korban?

Korban is the most important part of Hari Raya Haji and all Muslims who can afford to participate are encouraged to carry it out. Korban is when Muslims purchase an animal to be sacrificed in the direction of the Kaaba. The animal will then be cleaned and cut up. 

This act reminds worshippers of the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to offer up even his own flesh and blood to God.  

The meat will typically be shared with the needy or with people in the community as it is an act of sacrifice and giving. In Singapore, Korban is typically distributed to the less privileged in the community, such as those affected economically by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the rising costs of living, according to MUIS.

After this, Muslims will usually visit their families to get together and share a meal.

6. How is Korban carried out in Singapore?

In Singapore, the Korban ritual is carefully monitored. The sacrifice will take place in one of the 54 certified mosques we have around the island and it is only done by certified butchers to ensure that the animal does not suffer. 

MUIS and the Agri-food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) have carried out training for those involved in slaughtering the animals and audits are regularly conducted to ensure that the animals are being handled expertly and humanely. These reports typically go back to Australia which supplies Singapore with sheep for the Korban ritual, according to Singapore Infopedia.

Australia has been Singapore's main source of Korban animals for many years now and they have, over the years, imposed many regulations on foreign livestock exporters. 

For example, animals need to be given ample space in holding pens and slaughter knives are required to be twice the length of an animal’s neck. This is why the Korban ritual prices have been rising (prices range between SG$350 to SG$370).

This year, for the fourth year in a row, MUIS said in a statement that no livestock will be imported into Singapore. Instead, SalamSG Korban, a committee under the SalamSG Movement, will be working with local mosques to arrange for the ritual to be performed in Australia. The meat will then be chilled and shipped over to Singapore. 

7. What greetings can we use?

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Above (Photo: Getty Images)

While wishing your Muslim friends “Selamat Hari Raya” is sufficient, you can also be more specific and wish them “Selamat Hari Raya Haji” or “Selamat Hari Raya Aidiladha”. 

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