Raya experience for foreign students
ALOR STAR: THE Hari Raya Aidilfitri festivities are more
special than usual for the family of 47-year-old Aminah Darus as they
are celebrating it with a new family member.
They are all excited to share the experience with their foster daughter Deborah Lutz, 17, from Switzerland.
She is one of the nine European students who are here for a year-long exchange programme.
Lutz has been with the family for three weeks. She has been fasting and waiting with great excitement for the first day of Syawal to arrive.
"She is so committed to learning to fast and even more excited to celebrate Hari Raya.
"So, we will make sure that it will be a memorable one for her," said Aminah.
"My foster family had been explaining to me about fasting and the celebration of Hari Raya," said Lutz.
"They didn't forced me to fast. I was willing to do it as I wanted to experience it," she said.
The same excitement was shared by another exchange student, Justin Braun from Germany.
Braun said he was happy to celebrate Hari Raya after learning to fast.
"I am told that Hari Raya marks the end of the fasting month," he said.
Braun said he was also looking forward to visiting his new friends' homes during the festivities.
"This is a priceless experience for me to learn about the local cultures and festive celebrations," said the jubilant Braun.
His foster father, Hassan Taha, said this year's celebration was merrier for his family.
"We are planning to bring him along to the mosque so that he can learn a few things about the Raya celebrations," said the 53-year-old teacher.
He said the exchange programme was a good platform to foster intercultural and religious understanding for both his family and Braun.
Lutz and Braun are participating in a exchange student programme organised by the American Field Service.
They are all excited to share the experience with their foster daughter Deborah Lutz, 17, from Switzerland.
She is one of the nine European students who are here for a year-long exchange programme.
Lutz has been with the family for three weeks. She has been fasting and waiting with great excitement for the first day of Syawal to arrive.
"She is so committed to learning to fast and even more excited to celebrate Hari Raya.
"So, we will make sure that it will be a memorable one for her," said Aminah.
"My foster family had been explaining to me about fasting and the celebration of Hari Raya," said Lutz.
"They didn't forced me to fast. I was willing to do it as I wanted to experience it," she said.
The same excitement was shared by another exchange student, Justin Braun from Germany.
Braun said he was happy to celebrate Hari Raya after learning to fast.
"I am told that Hari Raya marks the end of the fasting month," he said.
Braun said he was also looking forward to visiting his new friends' homes during the festivities.
"This is a priceless experience for me to learn about the local cultures and festive celebrations," said the jubilant Braun.
His foster father, Hassan Taha, said this year's celebration was merrier for his family.
"We are planning to bring him along to the mosque so that he can learn a few things about the Raya celebrations," said the 53-year-old teacher.
He said the exchange programme was a good platform to foster intercultural and religious understanding for both his family and Braun.
Lutz and Braun are participating in a exchange student programme organised by the American Field Service.
Aminah Darus showing Deborah Lutz how to weave ketupat casings. Pic by Sharul Hafiz Zam
New Straits Times
Thursday 8 2013.
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