TABLE OF CONTENTS

FESTIVAL

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Festival is sample things people join any special occasion and celebrate something, it can also
refer to a particular day or groups of the day when people in a country have a holiday, therefore,
they can celebrate something. In a world, all countries have diverse festival-related to their own
religion and culture and particular occasion. It depends on countries religion culture because
every country has different religions or culture and relationship with each other. Therefore, every

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country has own method to celebrate the festival. For instance, most of the Islamic countries
celebrate two types of festival in a year one of the Eid Ramazan and second on Eid al Adha.
Additionally, a religious festival is critical to help us balance our emotions. People mostly
celebrate the festival their family members or with a neighbour. Festival is more vital and I
beneficial for a human being which people come together and they also huge honour their
religion and culture. Although the festival also gives a sense of enjoyment relaxation and also it
gives us a special offer the time needed a contract with family members we never really see.
Festival educate us to forget an enmity and embrace one another generate a relationship of love
an environment of cultural harmony. When the family is connected to the festival it's most
precious and joyful time. because of this festival is an important vital fart in our life. Ultimately,
festivals are highly crucial in our life because all people live separately do not connect with each
other an

individual does not know one another feelings. On the other hand, festival gathers people no
matter the cast, colour, poor or rich then that the result is good looking for.

2.0 ABSTRACT

This assignment explained a couple of different festivals in Malaysia such as the Diwali,
Eid-Ul-Fitr…a festival is generally a time of happiness that provide and prompt the togetherness
of culture, religion, or society. This assignment will mainly be based on the festivals that we can
find in Malaysia and many other places around the world.as Malaysiais a country with a variety

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of cultures such as Muslims, Indians,Kadzan,and Chinese. Festivalsare means to promote the
image of a given culture to the world. This report is divided in three parts explain twodifferent
festivals.

The first part is Eid-Ul-Fitr which is a Muslim festival that is all about purifying the
people’s soul and requesting for Allah.

The second part is Diwali which is aHindu festival of light that is all about the joy of the
victory of the good over the evil, the positive over the negative.

The Federation of Malaya gained independence from British rule on August 31, 1957. The
official Malayan Declaration of Independence was read at 9:30 a.m. at the Stadium Merdeka in
Kuala Lumpur before dignitaries that included the King and Queen of Thailand. Over 20,000
people gathered to celebrate the sovereignty of their new country.

On August 30, 1957, the night before the official declaration, a crowd gathered at Merdeka
Square — a large field in Kuala Lumpur — to witness the birth of an independent nation. The
lights were turned off at 11:58 p.m. for two minutes of darkness. The British Union Jack was
lowered, and Malaysia's new flag was raised in its place. At midnight, the lights were switched
back on for the first time in the new country.

Cities and smaller places (Georgetown in Penang is one) throughout Malaysia have their local
celebrations for HariMerdeka, however, Kuala Lumpur is undoubtedly the place to be! Squeeze
into the crowd to watch the processions and fireworks.

Each Independence Day in Malaysia is given a logo and theme, usually a slogan that promotes
ethnic unity. Malaysia has an eclectic mix of Malay, Indian, and Chinese citizens with different
cultures, ideologies, and religions. Government buildings and corporations would start
decorating the buildings with the colors of the national flag in the weeks before National Day.
Decorations with themes of red, blue, yellow, and white along with the national and state flags
would hang off almost every window and building in the city. Malaysia's national flag is proudly
known as the "JalurGemilang" and the flag is usually the central theme and pride of the nation
and her people. Old and torn flags are frowned upon and will usually be replaced by newer and
brightly colored flags. Vehicles are not to be missed out, and during the month leading to the
celebrations, it will not be unusual to see vehicles decked out as colorful as buildings in the
colors of the JalurGemilang.

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In the past decade or so, to young urban Malaysians, National Day usually means looking
forward to commercials from Petronas, an oil and gas company which is solely owned by the
Government of Malaysia. Around this time, Petronas-commissioned commercials with themes
centralized around unity and love among the three biggest races in Malaysia are aired. These
commercials were originally the brainchild of the late Yasmin Ahmad, a very much loved and
veered figure in the entertainment industry, until her untimely death in 2009.

Public schools usually have class-decorating, essay writing, and poetry competitions, all with
National Day themes. The more creative classes would completely be decked out in red, blue,
yellow, and white decorations, poems, and essays about unity and tolerance wrote. There will
also be nationwide competitions held by many corporate and government bodies to
commemorate the glorious event

On the eve of National Day, fireworks will light up the sky at the stroke of midnight, usually set
off in Merdeka Square in Kuala Lumpur. In recent years, the fireworks have been transported to
Putrajaya where they are equally, and if not more beautiful, dazzling the crowd who would stop
their cars on the highway and people who would gather at the parks in Putrajaya to witness this
few minutes of splendor. It is truly a sight to behold. In 2008, the fireworks were transported to
Titiwangsalake in Kuala Lumpur, where a giant Ferris wheel named the Eye of Malaysia had
been ready up a year before. The fireworks and the lights from the city and the Ferris wheel
added a touch of scenic splendor to the entire patriotic affair.

3.0 DIWALI

Diwali is a Hindu festival of light, with a duration of 5 consecutive days. The Festival is
celebrated during Hindu Lunisolar period (October to November), which the dated differ from
year to year. Diwali represents the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and
knowledge over ignorance. (USA TODAY)

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During the Diwali festival, people tend to wear new clothes, ornament, and brighten up their
houses, and worship Lakshmi (The Goddess of Good Fortune, wealth, and prosperity). Private
places are adorned with small oil lamps, known as Diya’s.

Figure 1. People lightening up the places.

Diwali originated in India and is commemorated 18 days after Dussehra festival.

The meaning of the festivals

People commemorate the return of deities Rama and Sita after the fourteen-year exile. The
mother Goddess Durga demolished the demon named Mahisha.

In 1619, the sixth Guru,HargobindSingh was liberated from prison. This event was merely
commemorated by the Sikhs before the date came – this the reason why the Sikhs celebrate
Diwali. The foundation stone of the Golden Temple of Amritsar( the holy place of the Sikhs),
was placed on Diwali, in 1577.

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Figure 2. The Sikhs believers
Diwali Day In Kuala Lumpur
In Kuala Lumpur,apart from Indian business, the most shops and restaurants are opened in these
days(Malay1 meter Mail). Little India Brickfields is one of the places where first time travellers
in Kuala Lumpur, could have the opportunity to observe the Hindus preparing for the event – a
week before Diwali, these streets are filled by Indians with the intuition of purchasing spicy, sari,
Punjabi.

Temples such as Sri KondaswamyKovil Hindu temple conduct prayers during the day – first
time travellers welcome to join but they must be appropriately dressed (No shorts and sleeveless
tops). This is such an opportunity for photographers record their moments and ceremonies.

Figure 3. Little India Brickfield in Kuala Lumpur

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4.0 EID-UL-FITR

There are two festivals that are celebrated by Muslims all over the world, Eid-Ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-
Adha. Both these festivals have different aspects as to why they are celebrated. When talking
about Eid-ul-fitr we must first know why Muslims celebrate the day.

In the holy month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamiccalendar, Muslims from all over
the world observe fast from dawn to dusk. While fasting, not only do they exclude themselves
from eating and drinking, they also restrict themselves from any immoral acts and anger.
Muslims consider this time as a month of blessing and mercy as their holy scripture the Quran
was revealed during this month. Usually fasting for thirty consecutive days may sound or feel
tiring and excruciating to many people, but for Muslims, these thirty days of Ramadan are times
of happiness and joy.

Each country has their own traditions and ways as to how they spend the month of Ramadan. In
some countries people cook different traditional food, in some countries people send gifts for
their relatives and friends before the Eid as part of their culture and many more. Throughout the
month, the doors of every mosque stay open and welcomes fasting people and serve them iftar
which are prepared by volunteers.

Just like how a kid waits with eagerness to open his presents at the end of his birthday party,
muslims eagerly wait for the end of these thirty days of fasting after which comes the day of Eid-
Ul-Fitr. Eid for the muslims is like a present from Allah (God) for being obedient towards him
and fasting for thirty days straight without complaint.

It is no different when it comes to Malaysia, the day of Eid is a very busy day for them. The day
starts by waking up early and asking Allah for HIS mercy. Then, the women of the household
starts preparing cultural and traditional food very early in the morning. While the men prepares
themselves for the going to the mosque.

Malaysian men dress themselves in their own traditional attire called the “Baju Melayn” and the
women dresses up in “Baju Kurung” which is the Malaysian traditionaldress forthe women. The
men then apply perfume and leave for the mosque with their families to pray the prescribed
prayer for Eid-Ul-Fitr in congregation. When the prayer is over, they then go on to visit the
graves of their deceased family members and make prayers for them. Afterwards they proceed to
visiting relatives and friends.

Eid-Ul-Fitr in Malaysia is not celebrated for just a day but an entire month. The essence of the
day carries on till the end of the month of Shawal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. This
is a good time for the Malaysians to get along with their relatives and friends who they didn’t get
a chance to meet the entire year. This festival gives them the opportunity to get together and
strengthen the bonds of family and friendship between them.

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As we all know, Malaysia is a multi-cultural country, and certain traditions of Malaysia makes it
all the more appealing to people of different backgrounds. There is an “open house” tradition in
Malaysia, where during the Eid day all households open their doors to people of the society.
Small decorated envelops of money are kept in tables or shelves that are given or handed out to
the guests as a gesture of sadaqah or gift. The thought or motive behind this approach shows how
welcoming and friendly Malaysians are to people of different cultures ethnicity and nationalities.
The core idea is to get to know each other and share a good meal andspend some quality time
with people of the same area.

However unfortunately, this year was quite different than any other year. Due to the pandemic,
all the mosques were closed down as per the order of the government. Everyone was advised to
stay in their houses. It was tough to spending this festive day sitting at home but the crisiswe face
now is much bigger. Hopefully the world recovers from this global crisis soon and next year we
can celebrate this joyous day to our hearts content.

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5.0 CONCLUSION

In the final analysis, the reflection exhibits from the above paragraph leads to firmly assert that,
festivals are much needed break from the drudgery of the routine life. Through the festivals we
celebrate life, we renew our zest of living and boost our spirits because the reality of our lives are
harsh and we need occasional cheering up through the festivals. Diwali is celebrated on the last
day of Aso month i.e. Amavasya of which gives us an occasion where good things will have
victory over evil by lighting of diyas and fire crackers.1steid i.e. Eid-Ul-Fitr is celebrated after the
holy month of Ramadan end which is basically the reward that you have earn during fasting in
the holy month.2ndeid i.e. Eid-Ul-Adha is all about the hajj pilgrimage to mecca which is one of
the five pillars of Islam. It honors the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act
of obedience to god i.e an animal( sheep, goat, cow etc. ) may be sacrificed as a reminder of
Abraham ‘s duty to Allah. Malaysian national day i.e. Hari Merdeka is celebrated marks the
formation of Malaysia as a country in 1963 when Singapore, Sarawak, and North Borneo joined
the Federation of Malaya. Meanwhile, the National Day commemorates the independence of the
nation from British imperial rule. The festivals of each country will keep them as a one
celebrating spirit.

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6.0 TASK ALLOCATION

TP number Name Task

TP059571 Inayat Hussain Introduction
TP058435 TresorKalemboTshibangu Abstract
TP060121 Elpidio Pedro Tamele Content (Dipavali)
TP059561 Ahmed Salah Ahmed Content (National day)
Elheneidy
TP060279 Abrar Hossain Content (Eid-Ul-Fitr)
TP060132 VachaSunilkumarGajjar Conclusion

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7.0 REFERENCES

 Muslim Aid 2020, Ramadan, viewed 8 June 2020, https://www.muslimaid.org/what-we-

do/religious-dues/ramadan/eid-ul-fitr/#
 Britannica 2020, Eid Al-Fitr, viewed 8 June 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eid-
al-Fitr
 ITC Malaysia 2019, Ramadan and Eid-UlFitr in Malaysia, viewed 8 June 2020,
https://itc.gov.my/tourists/discover-the-muslim-friendly-malaysia/ramadan-eid-ul-fitr-in-
malaysia/
 Hadley M. (2017). What is Diwali, the festival of lights, and how is it celebrated? United
States of America: USA TODAY,
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2017/10/19/what-diwali-festival-lights-and-
how-celebrated/779643001/
 During Deepavali. Kuala Lumpur: Malay 1-meter Mail.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/10/17/keeping-unique-traditions-alive-
during-deepavali/1488635

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