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Hari Raya Puasa is a very important occasion celebrated by Muslims all over the world. It is also known as the festival that commemorates the close of one month of fasting. The words ‘Hari Raya’ mean 'day of celebration.' Many mistake Hari Raya Puasa for the Muslim New Year. In Indonesia the feast is named Hari Raya Idul Fitri or informally Hari Raya Puasa. Hari Raya literally means The Great Day of (Celebration). After the end of Ramadan, which is the name of the one-month fasting period when Muslims fast for a period of almost 12 hours. Only the sick are exempted from fasting during this month. Muslims are expected to avoid lying, breaking promise or cheating during the month of Ramadan. The basic aim behind the fasting during Ramadan is to remind the Muslims of self-discipline and reconciling to Allah, the holy one. Even kids are instructed to fast when they are young. The preparations for Hari Raya Puasa in Indonesia start from one month ahead. People hop from shop to shop to buy new clothes. The whole of Indonesia wears on a festive look. The markets are full of people busy shopping. Women start to sew beautiful curtains and buy new clothes for the family. After fulfilling their one-month of fasting, Hari Raya Puasa is celebrated with great pomp and show. On the morning of the festival, the Muslims would wear their new clothes and go to the mosque to pray. They offer their thanks to God and after that they would ask for forgiveness from their elders. This is an important custom followed by the Muslims. Hari Raya Puasa is marked as a national holiday not only in Indonesia but in all the Muslim countries of the world. People greet each other with "Selamat Hari Raya" (Indonesian) or "Salam Aidilfitri" (Malay) which means "Happy Eid". Muslims also welcome one another with "Mohon maaf lahir dan batin" which means "Forgive my physical and emotional (wrongdoings). Hari Raya Puasa in Indonesia is one of the major events here. You will really enjoy this festival if you come here during this time.
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