Hari Raya Haji

Singaporean Muslims celebrate Hari Raya Haji (also known as Eid al-Adha or the Festival of Sacrifice) with prayers and introspection.

Hari Raya Haji is a four-day celebration that commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's devout faith and trust in Allah.

It all began when Allah commanded Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail, but Ibrahim chose to obey Allah's command. However, Allah intervened and provided Ibrahim with a sheep to sacrifice in place of his son.

Prayer and sacrificial slaughter

During the Hari Raya Haji period, devout Muslims dress in their finest clothes and gather at mosques to listen to sermons and pray for blessings. But the most important ritual during the festival is the korban sacrificial slaughter. Believers offer live sheep, lambs, goats, and cows, which are quickly slaughtered while prayers are being recited. This act serves as a reminder to believers that the Prophet Ibrahim was even willing to give up his own life for Allah.

Charity and faith

After the meat is cleaned and cut into pieces, one-third goes to the person who paid for the animal, another third goes to friends and family, and the remaining third is given to the poor and needy. Hari Raya Haji is a holiday about compassion and giving, sharing wealth, and commemorating blessings.

Muslims then visit their parents and loved ones, relax, and have meals together. Instead of prioritizing material needs, the festival emphasizes spiritual needs.

Special activities

Hajj Pilgrimage is an important aspect of Hari Raya Haji, marking the culmination of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, for Muslim worshipers. Pilgrims will embark on a difficult journey to retrace the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad before performing several symbolic rituals upon their arrival in the holy city. Hajj is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and every healthy and financially capable Muslim should fulfill this religious obligation at least once in their lifetime.

Places to visit

The Sultan Mosque

official website: https://www.sultanmosque.sg/

The Sultan Mosque, the largest mosque in Singapore, with its golden dome and grand prayer hall, is a popular destination for visitors to appreciate the unique architecture and the glass bottle-bottoms decorating the base of the dome, donated by Muslims during the mosque's reconstruction.

The Hajjah Fatimah Mosque

features an unusual minaret with a European-style design and an approximately six-degree offset from the central axis.

The Jamae Mosque

known for its syncretic architectural style, combines Southern Indian gateways, Chinese porcelain tiles, and Tuscan columns with a palatial exterior, small doors, and cross-shaped windows, leaving visitors in awe.