Somewhat sad that they could not travel back to their hometowns for this Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Noor Hafiza Yosni and Faizul Shafie did the next best thing. They brought the joy of the festive season home.
"We wanted to console ourselves, so we decided to paint the house, fix oil lamps around it, and put up decorative lights to liven the mood for Hari Raya," Noor Hafiza said.
The couple, both 34, and their three children are among the many city folks who are not able to go back to celebrate Hari Raya this year following the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) which prohibits interstate travel as it could contribute to the spread of COVID-19 among family members.
So together with their daughter Nur Adelia Humaira, 8, and sons Muhammad Addeen Hariz, 5, and Muhammad Adam Hariz, 3, the couple are spending Hari Raya in their home in Puncak Alam, Selangor.
"This is the first time we are celebrating Hari Raya in our own home since we settled here five years ago. This is also the first time that we have painted our huse. We are not excited (about not going back to the hometown) but a little nervous.
"We just want to create a different atmosphere from before. It will at least console us over not going back," she told Bernama when met at their home recently.
The family has also made good use of their time at home by cleaning it, fixing new curtains and baking cookies in preparation for Hari Raya.
Noor Hafiza said, usually they would take turns celebrating Hari Raya in their respective hometowns either in Lenggong or Lumut, Perak.
"It was a must for us to go back to celebrate Hari Raya and each time, we would usually spend a week there. Our hometowns are not far apart, only about two hours drive away.
"We both come from large families and there are many activities we would do with our relatives such as going visiting, making lemang and playing with fireworks. This year, however, it is different, as we all have to celebrate in our own homes," she said.
Meanwhile, Faizul said he realised that the CMCO was for everyone's good, so he will only be accepting visits from close family members on the first day.
"We will also insist that those who come wear masks, and we are also providing hand sanitisers," Faizul, a technology engineer, said, adding that the guests must also observe social distancing.
He also urged others to take all the necessary steps to maintain hygiene as a way of supporting the government 's efforts to break the chain of COVID-19 infections.
Meanwhile, Yang Suhaini Abd Aziz, 41, and her husband Shazrizal Dahalan, 44, said for safety reasons, they had long decided not to go back to Linggi, Negeri Sembilan for the Hari Raya celebrations this year.
"My in-laws are elderly and suffer chronic diseases, so they are at high risk of complications from COVID-19 infection," she said.
Instead, the couple, together with their three children - Muhd Afiq, 16, Muhd Adib,13, dan Muhd Aqeef, 9, - will be making a video call to the old folks on Hari Raya day.
Yang Suhaini said she made use of the time at home to bake cakes and cookies for Hari Raya.
"This is the first time I have made the cookies, because before, I just used to buy them," she said, adding that she had also put up new curtains to add to the festive mood.
--BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri May 22 2020
The family has also made good use of their time at home by cleaning it, fixing new curtains and baking cookies in preparation for Hari Raya.
Ahmad Zahid ucap tahniah kepada Farah Ain
Ahmad Zahid mengucapkan tahniah kepada atlet boling padang Nor Farah Ain Abdullah yang muncul juara pada Kejohanan Boling Padang Dalam Dewan Dunia 2024.
Raih RM31 juta sejak ditayangkan! Sheriff kini filem no. 1 di Malaysia
Berita gembira ini turut disokong oleh abang Syafiq, Syamsul Yusof yang turut bangga dengan kejayaan naskhah yang dihasilkan adiknya.
Letupan bom Sungai Golok: PDRM tingkat kawalan keselamatan sempadan Malaysia-Thailand
PDRM mempertingkatkan kawalan keselamatan di sempadan Malaysia-Thailand susulan insiden letupan bom dan bunyi tembakan di Sungai Golok.
Pemain ragbi meninggal dunia selepas perlawanan pasukan pilihan MB Kedah
Seorang bekas pemain Sukma Kedah meninggal dunia selepas menyertai perlawanan pertunjukan pasukan pilihan Menteri Besar Kedah pada Ahad.
OCC: Masih banyak usaha perlu dibuat dalam isu hak kanak-kanak
Masih banyak yang perlu dilakukan kerana Malaysia masih ketinggalan berbanding negara lain dalam menangani isu penderaan dan masalah sosial melibatkan kanak-kanak.
iPad Pro mungkin dijana dengan cip Apple M4 terbaharu, fokus ciri AI
Cip Apple M4 dijangka memfokuskan kepada keupayaan enjin neural yang disertakan bersama dengannya membolehkan ia menawarkan ciri AI yang lebih baik.
Lebih 840,000 permohonan untuk London Marathon 2025 pecah rekod dunia
Jumlah permohonan untuk menyertai larian TCS London Marathon tahun depan telah memecahkan rekod dunia.
WEF: Anwar jumpa 50 pemimpin industri & perniagaan, yakin pelabur bernilai tinggi pilih Malaysia
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menzahirkan keyakinan lebih banyak pelabur bernilai tinggi akan memilih Malaysia sebagai destinasi pelaburan mengikut jejak langkah syarikat-syarikat gergasi seperti Tesla, AWS, Infineon dan Nvidia.
AWANI Ringkas: Ikut jejak syarikat gergasi lain
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Bursa Malaysia dibuka tinggi seiring prestasi Wall Street
Bursa Malaysia dibuka rendah pada Isnin, mengambil petunjuk pasaran serantau dan kenaikan di Wall Street pada hari Jumaat.