Hari Raya Aidilfitri is the time to feast on scrumptious Ketupat and Rendang and more with your family. Apart from wearing matching coloured Baju Melayu, the annual festivities hold valuable moments that you can’t buy.

As a fan of Asian stories, I frequently look forward to the Hari Raya short films or advertisements released by organisations, mostly from our neighbouring country, Malaysia. These films are filled with life experiences that evoke happiness, sadness and some will make you laugh out loud!

The advertisement that caught my eye this year was from Hong Leong Bank Malaysia entitled Amal loosely translated as “charity”. The four-minute video features actors including singer/songwriter Alif Satar.

The premise brings together four adults who are allocated specific tasks around the kampung or village, to be completed by Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The reason for completing the tasks was later revealed at the end through a written letter by their grandfather.

Giving back to the community has always been the greatest life lesson I have ever received, as I grew up in a big family. Through the experiences in the past, I learned to be humble and thankful for the little things in life.

Advertisements like these serves as a reminder to us, to preserve lasting relationships between individuals in a close-knit community or an urban kampung like Singapore.

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a joyous occasion that has allowed the young to spill the tea while being unintentionally interrogated by concerned relatives. It’s a win-win situation perhaps for everyone.

With that, The Fifth Parlour would like to wish our Muslim readers Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!