Aidiladha: A day of prayer and peace for Myanmar Muslims in M'sia

PHOTO ESSAY | Aidiladha is one of two main festivals observed by over 1.8 billion Muslims the world over, with the other being Aidilfitri.

Also known as Hari Raya Korban or Hari Raya Haji here, the festival marks the end of the hajj pilgrimage.

It is also associated with the slaughtering of cows, goats, sheep, and even camels, with the meat distributed to the poor or needy.

This practice is to commemorate the deed of the Prophet Ibrahim, who, as a proof of his faith in God, offered to sacrifice his son Ismail. Revealed to be a test, a ram was sacrificed instead.

For the more than 500 Myanmar Muslims living in Kuala Lumpur, once a year, the bustle of Pasar Borong Kuala Lumpur in Selayang is transformed into a place of sacrifice and worship.

With some from the community escaping persecution back home, the day’s prayers and festivities the day provide some measure of comfort.

Recently, the Housing and Local Government Ministry said it was studying the idea of setting up a resettlement village to regroup refugees registered under the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin said this would provide these communities with access to proper healthcare and education, allow them to work and enable the government to better monitor them.

Human Resources Minister M Kulasegaran also recently reminded the Pakatan Harapan government of its election promise to allow refugees to work.

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