Bangladeshi workers in KL redefine Hari Raya with tradition and new bonds
Bangladeshi workers in Kuala Lumpur have found their own ways to celebrate Hari Raya while far from home. For many, the festive season brings a mix of tradition and adaptation, blending familiar customs with new routines. Some rely on family back home for clothes, while others build new connections with friends in the city.
Julhash and Zainal Abidin, both cleaners at a KL shopping mall, work half-days during Raya before joining friends for celebrations. They find the experience in the city similar to back home, except for the absence of family. Julhash even gets his Raya outfit from Bangladesh by asking relatives to send it with fellow countrymen travelling to Malaysia. Zain, on the other hand, prefers shopping in KL, spending between RM150 and RM500 on new clothes.
Mohd Salemusa Khan, a waiter in Malaysia since 2018, once struggled with loneliness during Raya. Over time, he created new traditions, hosting prayers and meals at his home for fellow Bangladeshis. His festive dishes include briyani, mutton curry, and the sweet shemai. Salemusa also receives baju Melayu from his boss on occasion, adding to his Raya wardrobe. Moshen, a cleaner in KL for 11 years, stays connected by video-calling his family every Raya morning. He takes them on virtual tours of the city, sharing the sights. This May, he plans to return home to get married during Hari Raya Haji, finally reuniting with his loved ones.
For these workers, Raya in KL means balancing work, tradition, and new friendships. Some rely on family for clothes or food, while others build celebrations around their colleagues. Despite the distance, they keep the spirit of the festival alive in their own ways.
