It’s OK to postpone Hari Raya holidays, says mufti

Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays in normal times have caused massive congestion on the main North-South Expressway.

GEORGE TOWN: Penang Mufti Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor today said the government could consider delaying the Hari Raya holidays to prevent what could be the largest annual exodus of people going back to their hometowns for the festival.

He said pushing back the official Raya holidays to another date was acceptable in Islam, especially at a time when the country was trying to stop the spread of Covid-19.

The Hari Raya public holidays are likely to fall on May 24-26, with Johor, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu having holidays on May 24-25.

“With reasonable excuse, the Hari Raya holidays can be postponed for the sake of preventing people from gathering at one place. It is permissible (harus) in Islam and the government has the right to do so.

Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor

“What more if this is to prevent the spread of an infectious disease that could harm lives,” he told FMT.

Wan Salim said, however, deferring the Hari Raya holidays to another date does not mean one could not celebrate the Syawal month on their own or with whoever they were in quarantine with.

“There will be no open houses, no sunat prayers for Hari Raya and no visiting family members and friends. At these times, it is best to hold the sunat prayers at home with your family,” he said.

Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, has announced that its Hari Raya holidays would be on Dec 28-31 instead of May 26-29, to prevent its mudik or balik kampung from taking place. - FMT