Sudden Raya announcement sparks confusion, excitement among Muslims, social media users

KOTA BHARU - The sudden announcement of Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow has set the Muslim community in Malaysia abuzz with confusion and excitement.

The sound of fireworks could suddenly be heard in Kota Bharu, Kelantan right after the announcement was made by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Datuk Seri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad over national television at 8pm today.

The announcement sparked both excitement and confusion as people were initially under the impression Hari Raya may fall on May 3, as some were planning their Balik Kampung trip tomorrow.

In another development, the number of cars in Kelantan, mainly in Kota Bharu has increased with backlog traffic as city folk continues to head to their hometowns to celebrate Aidilfitri, after a two-year lockdown due to Covid-19.

Kelantan police chief Datuk Shafien Mamat previously has said about two million vehicles were expected to enter the state during the Aidilfitri celebrations.

In Seremban, motorists were still on the road when they heard the announcement on social media platforms on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The live video was immediately flooded with Raya wishes.

"There is a fury of excitement to cook tonight, not to mention tidying up the house.

"Some are still on their way tonight,” user Azwanizam Bakri.

People have been tweeting over their excitement and how unprepared they are for Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year.

"The collective confusion over this year's Hari Raya date is one of the funniest things to happen so far. Selamat Hari Raya lah guys! Have a great one this year,” user Syafiqah Osman tweeted.

"Man, I haven't seen this sort of Raya chaos in years. I LOVE IT!

"But back in the day, before technology, Raya dates were a guessing game too,” another with the username Pakcik Kapibara Bertwit tweeted.

Not only that, but a lot of funny memes and GIFs have been shared all over social media as Malaysians share over the ‘Raya panic’ this year.