The Muslim community in Singapore will be spending the first few days of this year's Hari Raya Aidilfitri differently.
The festive occasion is typically celebrated with extended families gathering together, while going from house to house.
However, with the circuit breaker period extended until June 1, many families will be celebrating with just their immediate household.
Appeal for ease of measures
On May 4, a video of an elderly man went viral.
In it, he made a heartfelt plea to ask for the easing of the circuit breaker measures on the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri to allow the Muslim community to visit their family.
Here's the video:
He said that PM Lee is a "kindhearted" man and wouldn't know what to say if families couldn't meet on the festive occasion.
Here's a rough transcript of what he said:
"May peace be upon you, to all Singaporeans. Let's try to ask the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for just one day, the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, to allow children, grandchildren and parents to reunite. Don't separate them.
As for siblings, let's try to avoid meeting up but for children and grandchildren, they have to meet their parents and grandparents. Only for one day, the first day of Raya, and we won't visit on any other days.
I beg to you, Mr Lee Hsien Loong. I think he will allow it, I believe he's not that cruel. We're only asking for one day for parents, grandparents and grandchildren to meet up. As for siblings and the rest, they don't need to come. It is troublesome and will become a problem. Don't separate a child from his father on the first day of Raya.
Lee Hsien Loong will allow it... For the Malays, doesn't matter if others don't want it... I don't think our children and grandchildren will want to bring corona(virus) to us on the first day of Raya.
I'm asking for just one day, on behalf of my children and grandchildren. If other people don't want it, then that's their problem. I'm not asking from any other Malay ministers, I'm only asking from Lee Hsien Loong. He is a kindhearted man, he will definitely let it happen. Just for one day, please. If even this isn't allowed, then I don't know what to say."
Letter to PM Lee
Apparently touched by the elderly man's appeal, one Siti Hawamah wrote a letter to the Prime Minister's Office and the prime minister to ask for the easing of circuit breaker measures on May 24, the first day of Raya.
In the letter, she said:
"It is a sad and quiet Ramadan for all us (sic) Muslims in Singapore and this is the time we must gather to do our prayers together however we had (sic) to abide to the rules to stay safe and work together as a (sic) citizen of Singapore.
Can first day of Hari Raya be an exceptional (sic) for all of us?"
Mixed response
The full letter was also published on Facebook, gaining more than 300 shares.
Some supported Zaara's effort in reaching out to the Prime Minister:
While others reasoned that it is better for the circuit breaker measures to remain as it is.
Top image from Zaara Zulfaqar's Facebook page.