5 Best Ways to Celebrate Eid ul Adha in Singapore: Top Activities and Events to Explore

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Hari Raya Haji 2023 - Singapore is known as a country which is rich in cultural diversity and different background ethnicities of its people. As a multi-religious society, Singapore has some main religious groups around the country, including Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity.

Even though the main religion in Singapore is Buddhist, a religion just like Islam also has a greater part, even a Muslim celebration just like Hari Raya Haji (Eid al-Adha) also becomes a public holiday which lasts around four days.

What is Eid al-Adha?

Hari Raya Haji - Hari Raya Haji 2023

The celebration of Eid al-Adha, also in Singapore, Singaporeans knew it as Hari Raya Haji, is one of the largest celebrations of Muslim. This celebration is an honor for Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ishmael (Ismael), as an act of his obedience to God’s command. After Abraham’s obedience has passed, God changed his son (which wanted to be sacrificed) to a sheep, so Ishmael survives, and for the honor, Muslims celebrate it as Eid al-Adha.

When is Hari Raya Haji 2023 Festivals Celebrated?

In Islam, it has its own muslim calendar, which actually has a different systematic with the common calendar. Besides, Islam calendar also has its own month which also different with ordinary calendar we use every day.

For Hari Raya Haji itself, it’s being celebrated all the same around the world, referring to the 70 days after the holy month of Ramadan. So if the month of Ramadan in 2023 falls around the end to early of April, Hari Raya Haji or Eid al-Adha will be celebrated by the end of June.

What's Celebrated during Hari Raya Haji?

In Singapore, Muslims usually celebrate Eid al-Adha by praying in the morning with their finest dress. After that, they will do a tradition called korban (sacrifice).

Some of the animals that are usually used during the sacrifice tradition include cows, sheep, goats, and lambs. These animals will be slaughtered by a quick slit while the jugular recites praying. The meat of animals that has been cleaned will be distributed to worshippers and those who are needed for it.

There are some specific areas in Singapore which celebrate Eid al-Adha every year. Each area has its own unique activities to celebrate Hari Raya Haji. If you are getting confused where to go during Hari Raya Haji celebration in Singapore, try to visit these areas and find various unique activities to do with families and friends!

1. Kampong Glam, Singapore’s Muslim Centre

Kampong Glam - Hari Raya Haji 2023

Kampong Glam is one of Singapore's Muslim centers you could visit in this country. This place is rich in historical values of Muslims in singapore. Kampong Glam is specifically located on Arab Street, also known as the Singapor’s Muslim Quarter.

For your information, the name of glam or gelam, was came from the gelam tree. This place has already been used as Muslim community since the 1800s, making it one of the oldest and the hippest neighborhoods around Singapore.

Kampong Gelam has various activities you can do, such as visiting tourist destinations, hunting for food, and even shopping.

Gela Gallery

Address: Muscat Street, Singapore, 198833

Kampong Glam has various popular destinations where you can choose to spend your time in Singapore during Hari Raya Haji. The first you may want to do is to visit Gelam Gallery. If you are an arts lover, this is the perfect place for you to enjoy the area!

You can find the pop-culture dominated creation made by popular artists among the locals. Besides, you can also take cute pictures around because the area is full of colorful art on the wall.

Sultan Mosque

Address: 3 Muscat St, Singapore, 198833

Sultan Mosque - Hari Raya Haji 2023

The next destination you can visit while in Kampong Glam is Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan). The name of Sultan Mosque was named after Sultan Hussain Shah. He was the guy behind the modern Singapore, and also became the Sultan of Johor and Singapore in 1819. After that, he also became the Sultan of Johor in 1824.

Sultan Mosque also known as the national monument of Singapore and really well-maintained after its construction finished in 1932.

2. Geylang Serai Bazaar

Address: 1 Geylang Serai, Singapore 402001

Geylang Serai Bazaar - Hari Raya Haji 2023

Geylang Serai Bazaar is the perfect place for you who are looking for traditional markets and traditional cuisines around Singapore. This area used to be the trading center around Singapore, and also became the oldest Malaysia's home in Singapore.

The name of Geylang Serai itself also comes from the past, where the area used to be the lemongrass plantation area around the 19th century. No wonder, for now, you can find a lot of activities near Geylang Serai.

Known as Bazaar and Traditional Market

Geylang Serai is known as a perfect place to hold bazaars, and it also consists of a traditional market which is always crowded with visitors both locals and tourists. For this year in 2023, Geylang Serai will hold the longest Geylang Serai Bazaar Ramadan and also become bigger this year!

Tourist Destination

Geylang Serai is rich in historical sites, and there are so many traditional traditions still being held here. For those of you who are always craving for history and adventure, this is the great place to spend your time during Eid al-Adha in Singapore.

3. Pray at Abdul Gaffoor Mosque

Address: 1 Dunlop St, Singapore 209369

Abdul Gaffoor Mosque - Hari Raya Haji 2023

Even though Singapore, known for its main religion is Hindu, you are still able to find various mosques to pray to Muslim. In Little India, you will find a great mosque which will mesmerize your eyes with its architecture, called as Abdul Gaffoor Mosque (known as Masjid Abdul Gaffoor). This mosque is specifically located at Dunlop Street, in the Rochor Planning Area.

Abdul Gaffoor Mosque was first constructed in the early 19th century, around 1907. For now, this mosque is owned by Majlis Ulama Islam Singapura, also known as MUIS. Besides Abdul Gaffoor Mosque, this mosque has various names, including: Dunlop Street Mosque, Indian Mosque, Abdul Gafoor Mosque, Abdul Gafoor Mosque, and Abdul Gafor Mosque.

Talking about architecture, it turns out, Abdul Gaffoor Mosque is rich in architectural features. For example, for the main area, the prayer hall, the design is raised above the ground which is oriented towards Mecca.

4. Get Henna Tattoo in Little India & Bugis

Henna Tattoo - Hari Raya Haji 2023

Did you know that Singapore has a lot of Henna artists whose quality is super good, just like you can find in India? If you want to have a tattoo without getting through a lot of pain, henna tattoo may be one of the greatest options you can have!

It is because henna usually use a plant based coloring and the tattoo is temporary. Besides, there are so many traditions that use henna as a part of celebration, such as weddings, Hari Raya, Deepavali, and many more.

If you are getting curious, you can try to have a henna tattoo with various professional henna artists in Little India or even in Bugis, Singapore. The total cost for a henna tattoo is around US$ 12.

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Let’s have some fun on Hari Raya Haji 2023 in Singapore by doing fun activities above! If you have a plan to have a trip in Singapore, come and book your ticket flights and even your hotel room through Traveloka!

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