Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a day of victory for Muslims across the globe after a long period of abstinence during Ramadan. In Malaysia, Raya is a truly joyous occasion filled with festive cheer and merriment.

What’s unique is the long-standing tradition of ‘open houses’ that are held during Syawal. At these open houses, various traditional Malay dishes such as ketupat, lemang and rendang are served for guests.

Aidilfitri in Malaysia is not just celebrated for a day or for a week, but the entire month. During Raya, many tend to eat excessively or ‘Raya sakan’, as if to compensate for the month-long fasting during Ramadan and this is the kind of Raya in which caution is thrown to the wind. Often, many let their health take a back seat during Syawal given...