15/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 15, 2026 II theSunday Special

The road home evolves with time, but Raya is still about faith, family and reunion The heart of balik kampung

BY HANNEF ESQUANDER

H

ARI Raya Aidilfitri is a celebration of forgiveness, gratitude and renewal. It is also the time of the year when everyone gathers in the spirit

Knowing that rendang, ketupat and lemang are waiting at home makes the journey even more exciting.

of togetherness. Family members from across the states and even from abroad will make their way home to celebrate Raya together with their loved ones. The journey home or more commonly known as balik kampung , is one of the most important parts of the celebration. Even when the long car rides have been replaced by long waits at the airport or stopping for an EV recharge feels just like hunting for the nearest petrol station, the whole balik kampung ritual will always be about the journey as much as the destination. Some of these changes are inevitable, but for model cum entrepreneur Aira Zainol, one thing that she always does is plan her journey ahead of time because balik kampung WUḊ F FDQ EH YHU\ KHDY\ and as a young woman driving, it can feel scary at times. Some people rush unnecessarily on the roads, which leads to an increase in accidents during festive seasons. She focuses on choosing the right time to travel, taking proper breaks and ensuring the journey is comfortable. Long drives can be mentally and physically GUDLQLQJ VR VDIHW\ DOZD\V FRPHV ¿UVW

“No matter how busy life gets, Raya is always a time that brings me back to fam ily, faith and the values I grew up with. The FHOHEUDWLRQ KDV GH¿QLWHO\ FKDQJHG D ORW “Earlier on, work commitments and frequent travel meant I could not always go home as often as I wanted. Now, I am more intentional about planning my trips and spending time with family. As you grow older, you realise that Raya moments are limited and they matter more than anything else,” said Aira. Technology and communication devices play a very important role in planning for Raya. Aira has a family group chat that helps coordinate everything from travel plans to safety updates. Even when everyone is still on the road, staying connected gives peace of mind. That sense of reassurance is especially important during the busy Raya period. “Raya is about togetherness. My family tries to gather early so we can celebrate properly by praying together, eating together and spending quality time. When

someone cannot make it back on time, their absence is always felt. That is why I now prioritise being present, because Raya feels more complete when everyone

is there,” shared Aira. Road safety concern

Aira admits she is more concerned about her safety on the road now than before. With busy roads and long journeys, she must be cautious. People are often tired and eager to reach home, which leads to risky driving. She constantly reminds herself not to rush, to rest when needed and to focus on arriving safely. Peace of mind matters more than arriving early. “One thing about balik kampung that will never change, no matter how much things evolve, is the Raya mood. The beautiful baju Melayu and baju kurung , the kuih Raya, the food, the familiar Raya songs playing on the radio and even the traffic jams. No matter how tiring the journey is, celebrating together with fam ily makes everything worth it,” said Aira.

As you grow older, you realise that Raya moments are limited and they matter more than anything else.”

Aira