Read the passage below. There are many festivals and holidays observed in Malaysia. The diverse cultural and racial mix is evident the variety of observances, of which a few are listed below. Hari Raya Puasa (Aidilfitri) is a oyous and im!ortant Muslim holiday that is celebrated throu"hout the Muslim world. #t is the end of a month of fastin" and each day is started with children as$in" their !arents for"iveness for anythin" they have done wron", before they "o to !rayer s. #t is a time for s!ecial food, visitin" friends and relatives and the children are "iven "ifts of money. %hinese &ew 'ear is a very festive time for Malay %hinese and is observed on the first day of the first moon on the %hinese calendar. The date of this celebration will vary from year to year de!endin" on when this time falls on the lunar calendar and usually lasts for about days. *ometimes this event is in +anuary, other times in ebruary, since it follows the lunar calendar, not the solar calendar. #t is celebrated with a traditional dinner on &ew 'ear-s ve and subse/uently continues with visits to family, friends and the honorin" of the elderly. Pac$ets of money called ang poware "iven away at this time as well. 0ee!avali is an im!ortant Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of "ood over evil, !articularly that of 1ord 2irshna over a demon $in" (mytholo"ical). #t is observed with !rayers in the mornin", followed with visits to friends and relatives with delicacies ser ved. #n the evenin", lanterns are lit. %hristmas is celebrated by the %hristians in Malaysia usually with the attendance of a church service on %hristmas ve. There are also carolers who sin" at various !laces (children-s homes, retirement homes, hotels, etc) and brin" %hristmas oy. The exchan"e of "ifts is !racticed as well in celebration of %hrist-s birth.
