RAYA 2020 - SPECIAL EDITION

                   

This year's Raya is a bit different, with the pandemic bringing down the world. Sadly, most people couldn't even travel back to their respective hometowns to celebrate together with their families.

On the other hand, those who were with their immediate families did not get the opportunity to mingle with their relatives who stay far apart.

As such, this was definitely a very contrasting celebration as opposed to the previous years.

Let me introduce you to some of my friends who lived up to the new norm and celebrated Raya with what they had and what they could in the best way possible:

Atiqah Alia lives in PJ with her lovely family. 

"Basically we Raya with just us 5 family members and our cats, Simba and Dexter. We did not go out at all nor did we receive guests. Started our salam session at 9 am then ate, after that took off our baju raya at 10 am. After that life was pretty much the same. We usually organize open house during the first day of Raya. Usually about 50 people including relatives and friends will come. But not this year. That's pretty much it." - ATIQAH 

Aqilah was apart from her family who are in Perak since she was stuck in KL due to the pandemic. 

"This was during the first day of Raya. My brother (the one wearing songkok) and I were working during the first day of Raya. Cant go back and celebrate with the fam. So we just wished through video call. "- AQILAH 

Alya Aziz (standing 3rd from the right) is studying abroad in New Zealand and could not come back to celebrate Raya this year, so she had to celebrate with her fellow housemates who shared the same fate. 

"Congregational Eid prayers at home this year🌹 Physically far apart from everyone else but certainly spiritually close at heart." - ALYA AZIZ

Nonetheless, all of my friends unanimously agreed on one thing wholeheartedly that this year's Raya was a far cry from what they were used to because they couldn't have their immediate/extended families to visit. But it was still meaningful cause they got to celebrate with their closed and loved ones. 

With that being said, let's be prepared to celebrate all the upcoming festivals with the new norm by keeping in mind the standard operational procedures. 

❤️A Cup Of Zeal wishes its readers a very peaceful and safe Hari Raya! ❤️