Reality Check: Hari Raya Gets a Digital Twist
All that pre‑Eid prep—shop‑till‑you’re‑out for Raya outfits, whipping up amazing mukbang‑ready dishes, and dreaming of a full‑on family bash—was suddenly put on pause for Republic Polytechnic’s Atiqa Sams and her crew.
What’s Happening?
Starting May 8, Singapore tightened the COVID rules again. Instead of a wild five‑person gathering, the limit is now just two individual meetings for households, with a maximum of five visitors per home per day.
Impact on the Family
- Atiqa was full‑of‑energy and had already prepped dishes for a feast.
- She had booked her grandma to stay over for the last Ramadan nights.
- The plan was to celebrate Eid together at home—something they had missed last year.
But the new rules forced a sudden cancellation, leaving the family scrambling to adapt.
Why the Change?
Atiqa says:
“We had over‑ordered food, anticipating guests, but the new measures changed everything,” she shares.
“I’m ready to turn our plans to a digital celebration instead.”
Moving Forward
Even though the anticipation for a cheerful Eid had been high, the group decided to:
- Reschedule with the household limits.
- Organise a virtual hang‑out — a face‑to‑face call for family vibes.
- Keep the recipes ready for a post‑Eid dinner when restrictions ease.
So, while the tradition got a tech upgrade, the spirit remains rooted in family love and resilience.
Another digital Hari Raya
Reimagined Hari Raya: 2025’s Virtual Reunion Highlights
With new health protocols in place, Atiqa and her crew are gearing up for a virtual Hari Raya. Even though they miss the warm hugs of in‑person gatherings, the spirit of togetherness is keepin’ on.
Zooming into the Festivities
“Just like last year, we’ll be hopping on Zoom to connect with our relatives—after all, that’s the most reliable way to bring the clan together,” Atiqa says.
To spice things up, she plans to “movie‑style” out each family’s moments and stitch them into a video collage. It’s a creative workaround when group photos are a thing of the past.
Giving Green Packets—Virtual Edition
Tradition still rolls: the duit raya or green packets are a staple for Muslim families to gift youngsters. With physical visits on a hush‑hush, many—like legal secretary Maisarah Noordin—are turning the practice on its head.
“We’ll lean on PayNow next year, just as we did last year. We’re unlikely to get any visitors, so digital transfers are the way to go,” Maisarah, 45, explains. “It’s super simple, no hiccups.”
However, she points out a bittersweet angle: kids anyway crave the fizzy yellow packets, and with fewer visits, they’re feeling a tad short‑changed.
Why It Matters
- Feel the spirit of Raya from across distances.
- Keep the green‑packet ritual alive without stepping out.
- Turn a simple call into a memory‑making montage.
Even as the world adapts to new norms, Atif and Maisarah’s story shows that your tradition can evolve—human connection, no matter how 240‑pilled, still gets the heart pumping.
Communal prayers online
Virtual Faith Is Back on the Frontlines
Remember last year when the bloke on the circuit breaker was the only one able to pray together? This year, that same blessing is making a comeback—thanks to SalaamSG TV and the ever‑cool Muis.
Meet Adlina Rahim
Adlina Rahim, an 21‑year‑old ITE student, was practically living her prayer‑land dreams the day she watched the takbir raya (the collective call to prayer) on TV. “It was like a virtual pilgrimage,” she chuckles, “since I normally head to the mosque with my fam on Hari Raya.”
And she’s already planning the next livestream binge.
What Muis Is Cooking Up
- This Wednesday, SalamSG TV will stream takbir raya led by Mufti Nazirudin Mohd Nasir, the top Islam guru in Singapore.
- Adlina said she’d love to watch it again with her family—because who doesn’t want a virtual Friday night feast with each other besides the in‑person one?
- For the big Hari Raya Aidilfitri prayers, Muis announced three sessions for 100 devotees each, split into two zones of 50 people.
Safety Measures (Yes, We Still Care)
COVID‑19 still has us on our toes, so Muis keeps it super safe:
- Pre‑event testing if the crowd hits more than 100 members.
- The cap stays at 250 participants.
- Each session is split into smaller groups—two zones of 50 each, so no one has to squeeze in.
This is the second year of “safe” celebrations, with the pandemic still lurking. But hey, that’s no reason not to give a virtual prayer a try—if it means keeping our loved ones together, whether at home or across the screen.
For more du‑h, hit up the contact details: [email protected]
