Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore
Hari Raya Puasa, also called Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid al-Fitr, marks the end of Ramadan and falls on the first day of Syawal. In Singapore, it is both a Muslim festival observed in homes and mosques and a gazetted public holiday with employment entitlements set out by the Ministry of Manpower.[1][2]
Meaning and timing
Ramadan is a month of fasting, prayer and reflection for Muslims. Hari Raya Puasa celebrates its conclusion; the name Hari Raya means a grand day of rejoicing. The date follows the Islamic calendar, so its Gregorian date changes from year to year.[1]
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr around the world, though customs vary by region. In Singapore, the festival is important to Muslims from Malay, South Asian, Arab, Chinese and Eurasian backgrounds.[1]
Prayers, visits and family customs
The mosque is central to the day, with special prayers held there. Families and friends gather for meals and visit one another during Syawal. In some families, younger members greet elders by kissing their hands as a gesture of respect and to seek forgiveness and blessings.[1]
Many households prepare kuih, ketupat and rendang for guests. People dress in festive traditional clothing, and some families choose coordinated colours. Children may receive money in small green packets, a practice that the National Heritage Board describes as a more recent development.[1]
Singapore’s festive settings
Geylang Serai is a prominent public gathering place in the lead-up to Hari Raya Puasa: its lights are switched on ahead of the festival, and its annual bazaar draws visitors. Festive bazaars are also held in Kampong Glam. People who are not Muslim may join public festivities such as visiting the light-up and bazaar.[1]
The holiday is observed by Muslim communities across Singapore, while the scale and form of family visits and meals can differ from household to household. The National Heritage Board records changes in practice over time, including communal food-sharing in Housing Board block void decks and mosques.[1]
Public holiday and practical arrangements
Hari Raya Puasa is one of Singapore’s 11 gazetted public holidays. Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to 11 paid public holidays each year. If a public holiday falls on an employee’s rest day, the following working day is a paid holiday; if it falls on a non-working day, the employee is entitled to another day off or one extra day’s salary in lieu. Employees outside the Act’s coverage follow their employment contract.[2]
Working on a public holiday is subject to the employment contract or mutual agreement. Employees required to work are generally entitled to an extra day’s basic salary, with some arrangements available by mutual agreement.[2] Check opening hours with each bank, shop or transport provider before travelling or arranging errands.
Frequently asked questions
Is Hari Raya Puasa a public holiday in Singapore?
Yes. It is one of Singapore’s 11 gazetted public holidays. Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to 11 paid public holidays each year.[2]
When is Hari Raya Puasa observed?
It falls on the first day of Syawal, after Ramadan. Because the date follows the Islamic calendar, its Gregorian date changes each year.[1]
Do employees always get the day off?
Employees covered by the Employment Act are entitled to a paid public holiday, but some may work by contract or mutual agreement and receive the applicable compensation. Employees outside the Act’s coverage follow their contract.[2]
Are banks, shops and public transport closed?
Check with the specific bank, shop or transport operator before making plans.
What might a visitor see or be offered?
In Singapore, Geylang Serai is known for festive lights and a Ramadan bazaar; Kampong Glam also has festive bazaars. A household visit may include festive food and greetings, but customs vary between families.[1]
Sources and references
Sources used for Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore:
- Hari Raya Puasa- National Heritage Board, Singapore
- Public holidays: entitlement and pay- Ministry of Manpower, Singapore