To celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the religious holiday observed by Muslims to mark the end of Ramadan, people host and attend Hari Raya open houses. The purpose of the open house is to open your home to everyone in the community in order to share the celebration of Eid. At the open house, food is served, music is played and laughter fills the air. It’s really a special time. But before this happens, it's tradition to seek forgiveness from people you have mistreated.
Eid al-Fitr is a time to seek forgiveness for any wrongdoings you have done in the past year. You will sometimes hear people say “Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir dan batin” as a greeting, which means “Happy Hari Raya, I seek forgiveness from you physically and spiritually.” You go the person you've wronged and ask them for forgiveness while kissing their hand or placing your forehead on their hand. In return, the person gives you his or her blessing and sometimes an envelope with money in it.
