Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are two key religious events celebrated by Muslims in Singapore as well as around the world. But although these festivals happen annually, there are still many locals who often confuse the two, just because their names sound similar in nature. If you’ve had your head in the ground all this while – and know nothing about them apart from the fact that they come with public holidays – it’s never too late to start getting informed. After all, can you even say you’re a true Singaporean if you don’t know what our cultural events are all about? Let’s cut to the chase and clear this up once and for all.
What is Hari Raya Puasa?
Hari Raya Puasa – also known as Hari Raya Aidilfitri or Eid al-Fitr – tends to get more visibility in Singapore because of the big celebratory fanfare that surrounds it. To break it down to literal terms, “Hari Raya” translates to “grand day of rejoicing”, while “puasa” means “fasting”, so there you have it: This festival is to mark the end of the month-long period of fasting and abstinence. which we know of as Ramadan.
During Hari Raya Puasa, you’ll see families dressed to the nines as they go about visiting the homes of their relatives and friends. While a bulk of these ‘open house’ visits happen on the first day of the occasion, many of these also tend to get spread out over multiple weekends throughout the month. Read our ultimate guide to Hari Raya Puasa for more about its traditions.
When is Hari Raya Puasa 2025?
The exact date of Hari Raya Puasa changes every year, as it is based on the Islamic calendar which follows a lunar cycle rather than the 365-day Gregorian calendar which follows a solar cycle. This year, Hari Raya Puasa falls on March 31, 2025, a Monday.
What is the purpose of Ramadan?
Ramadan is often colloquially referred to as the “fasting month” – where Muslims avoid eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset – but there’s a whole lot more to it. While fasting is meant to foster a sense of empathy for the needy, thankfulness, and self-discipline, Ramadan is also about abstaining from sinful behaviour and engaging in more prayer and inward reflection.
What is Hari Raya Haji?
Hari Raya Haji – also referred to as Eid al-Adha – is a festival of sacrifice that also marks the end of hajj, which is the annual Islamic pilgrimage to the holy land of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. The atmosphere during this festival is more sombre and reverent, and it usually starts with morning prayer rituals followed by korban, where livestock like sheep and goats are sacrificed at mosques. This happens every year in Singapore as well.
When is Hari Raya Haji 2025?
Like Hari Raya Puasa, Hari Raya Haji also follows the Islamic calendar and thus doesn’t have a specific fixed date. This year, it falls on 7 June 2025, a Saturday, which means that there will be a day off in lieu for those who work regular Monday-to-Friday schedules, and time off or monetary compensation for those required to work.
Why are sheep slaughtered on Hari Raya Haji?
The slaughtering of sheep, goats and other livestock on Hari Raya Haji is to commemorate the story of Ibrahim in the Quran. In a test of faith, the holy prophet was commanded by God to offer his son Ismail up as a sacrifice, but just before the deed was done, God sent a ram to be slaughtered in place of the boy. If this sounds familiar to those of the Christian faith, yes – this is very much in parallel with the sacrificial story of Abraham and his son Isaac in the Bible.
All this to say: the significance of Hari Raya Haji is for believers to remember the importance of having full trust in God, and the strength and courage to make sacrifices amidst any challenges in life.
What happens to the slaughtered animals on Hari Raya Haji?
The livestock is slaughtered using the halal method, where the animal is faced towards the direction of the holy Kaaba and prayers are made while a single quick slit is made to its main veins. This makes the process almost instant, which reduces any pain and stress of the animal. Nothing goes to waste, as the cleaned and cut meat is then distributed among worshippers and the needy.
Differences between Hari Raya Puasa and Haji
So there you have it – Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are two very different religious occasions that are not to be confused with each other. The next time one of your friends brings up this ever-repeated question, send them this article so that they can finally educate themselves.
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