From 2029 to 2031, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year (CNY) are set to fall in the very same week.
Source: Scribbling Geek on Unsplash
Dubbed ‘Gongxi Raya’ or ‘Kongsi (Shared) Raya’, it will be the first time in over 30 years this special phenomenon is taking place.
The coincidence will occur due to the lunar calendars that each festival uses.
With both festivals happening in the same week, these are the estimated public holidays in Singapore:
2029:
2030:
2031:
If all goes according to plan, we may enjoy extended long weekends during these years.
Gongxi Raya is possible due to the lunar calendars that the festivals subscribe to.
For Islamic festivals like Hari Raya Aidilfitri, dates are determined based on astronomical calculations of the Moon’s phases, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) explained.
This lunar calendar is shorter compared to the Gregorian calendar, which consists of 365 to 366 days.
As a result, Hari Raya is shifted forward by around 10 to 11 days annually.
On the other hand, the historic Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar.
A lunisolar year typically consists of 12 months, possibly 13 if an extra month is added to prevent calendar drift.
Hence, CNY tends to fall in late January to February every year.
The last time that the double festive celebrations occurred was between 1996 and 1998.
It also happened from 1963 to 1965.
Source: Roots.sg
During the occasion, both Muslims and Chinese would traditionally open their houses for friends and relatives to visit.
Both groups also took part in each other’s cultural activities.
For example, Chinese participants engaged in a ketupat-making activity during a Gongxi Raya celebration at the Government Press Centre in 2000.
Source: National Archives of Singapore
Also read: Hari Raya Puasa may happen twice in 2033, expect more holidays & bazaar food
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Featured image adapted from FNP SG and Hotels.com.
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