A family in Gombak carries on the Raya shared tradition, spreading unity, kindness and cultural respect across generations
celebrate The festival is not only about creating an atmosphere of happiness at home but also about sharing love and culture with people around you.
In a Threads post, user @weenatease shared that his family has been practicing the tradition of sharing Hari Raya dishes with their Chinese neighbors since 2009.
Now this family living in Gombak has taken this tradition one step further by passing it on to the next generation. This year, he allowed his children to take the lead, ensuring that this tradition continues as part of their family’s Raya celebrations.
The user wrote, “This year, we stepped back and let our children take the lead because values like kindness, cultural respect and shared humanity are not taught through words. They are lived out until they become a part of us.”
He also shared that although his mother has passed away, her spirit of caring for others lives on through the family.
The heartfelt post was liked by many netizens, who praised the family as “sweet” and expressed happiness to see such efforts to maintain unity in a multi-caste society.
@jenho66 commented, “Loved to see the way you have taught kids. This is our culture – keep it up. We used to share during festivals.”
Another user, Boon San, reflected on the past, saying, “I have not seen such a harmonious scene for a long time, since the 1970s. It was common to celebrate festivals together with the ‘Muhibbah’ spirit. I hope this tradition of mutual respect and understanding will continue for generations to come.”
User @lukehaqeem also shared his experience, saying that he has been giving dut raya to his Chinese neighbors for as long as he can remember.
“The children were very happy. We have to keep this tradition alive,” he said.
Meanwhile, another user expressed nostalgia for simpler times, remembering how he and his siblings would eagerly bring Raya food to their neighbors in their childhood.
He wrote, “But now everyone keeps to themselves. Even our neighbours’ children and grandchildren pretend not to see us when they walk by and you feel awkward even trying to smile.”
He said that it is difficult to blame others when children in one’s own family also behave in a similar manner.
“And you can’t even improve them. Maybe we’re old-fashioned. I don’t know what the world is doing these days,” she said.
