Arrivals and Offerings - Aidil Adha 2026

Please click the photo above to play the daily videoThe alarm went off at a hour that barely qualifies as morning, but there was no reluctance in it. Some early starts carry their own momentum, and driving to KLIA to collect Irfan is one of them. The roads were empty in that particular way they only manage on public holidays — the kind of quiet that makes KL feel like it's still deciding whether to wake up.

I reached the airport just after six, expecting a wait. KLIA on Aidil Adha morning has a stillness to it that you'd never believe if you've only seen it during peak season — all that polished marble and soaring architecture with almost nobody in it. As it turned out, the wait was shorter than planned. Irfan's flight landed a full forty-five minutes early, which is the kind of pleasant surprise that airlines so rarely deliver. He appeared through arrivals looking well, and just like that, the thing I'd been quietly looking forward to all week was done. Everyone home.

We were back by eight, the morning still young and full of possibility. The day's main obligation was the Qurban in Bukit Antarabangsa — the ritual sacrifice that sits at the heart of Aidil Adha. There's a particular atmosphere to these gatherings: communal, unhurried, purposeful. People milling about in the morning warmth, children darting between adults, the whole thing proceeding with the quiet organisation of something that happens every year and knows its own rhythm. We were all done by lunchtime, everything handled with satisfying efficiency.

Afterwards, the decision was made — as it often is on these occasions — to have some beef. When the day has already centred around the animal, it feels only right. We passed our share of the Qurban meat along to relatives, which is part of the whole spirit of the thing. The giving is the point, really.

The afternoon pivoted to something altogether more secular: shopping. Anita had a Rimowa trunk in her sights, and who am I to stand between a woman and well-engineered luggage? There's something almost architectural about Rimowa — the ridges, the precision, the satisfying click of the latches. A proper object. Then it was my turn for some clothes, because apparently one cannot live on the same rotation of shirts indefinitely, however strongly one might feel otherwise.

By the time we got home, the day felt genuinely full — the kind of full that comes from variety rather than exhaustion. Airport at dawn, Qurban by mid-morning, retail therapy by afternoon. Three quite different acts, all slotting together into something that felt complete.

Another day off tomorrow, which is a luxury worth savouring. But tonight, like last night, an early one. The body keeps its own counsel on these matters, and mine was making its position very clear.

Qurban 2015

This year, it was with my parents at Bukit Antarabangsa. The local surau had 11 cows and the ceremony had to start early for fear of dragging on till late. two of the cows were huge - one donated by the local singer who happened to live my Mum's area. That took some doing!
The weather was nice, and the haze were almost completely gone with no rain in sight. A perfect weather for Qurban.

It started at around 10, and when I left at around noon with Irfan especially making noise, our Qurban was due next. There were plenty of helpers around and it was a big occasion for the folks in the area, with my Dad being one of the organiser.

They took the security arrangements seriously with the area for the Qurban cordoned off, and the children were put on one side. The event went on orderly although there was a slight delay. Once the Qurban was downed, the meat were taken to designated area for futher cutting and later distribution. Some of the meat were also cooked at the Surau for a feast later in the day while some were distributed to the needy!

Judging from the size of the cows, this years Qurban was a lot better compared to few years back where the meat were too lean and skinny. This year, each portion of Qurban - 7 per cow - weighed in at 5kg.

I just wished that I could hang around a bit more, but the combination of the hot weather, the delay and the crowd put my boys off! They should toughen up for next year ….

Qurban

Unlike last year, Qurban and Aidil Adha this year was a low key one. We all stayed in KL. Even my parents didn't travel as my Mum's brother passed away last Ramadhan and her sister is in Mecca at the moment. My sister didn't go back to Melaka either.

The first day was a busy one for my parents as my Dad was in charge of the Qurban at his surau. Mum was also busy with cooking. I went to the surau with my boys although Idlan freaked out when he saw blood from the slaughter. That put the end of the visit.

It was almost done by the time we arrivedEvery last bitReady for distributionThe chopping boardWe went to visit my parents on the second day, having lunch there. We spent the rest of the Raya weekend at the apartment this time, more or less to ourselves.

The boys were occupied with homework, assignment and of course the PS4. I spent the weekend just doing some reading and watching TV. A lazy one actually.

My Dad was in charge of the distribution part

Idlan trying to convince everybody that it was time to go ....

They were back to school today, and I was busy with some reading in preparation for a visit by inspector at a firm I consult for. Although I technically had Tuesday off in between reading and paperwork.

Lazy Afternoon

Who could blame us? We would be traveling back to KL tomorrow. Was at the mosque during Zohor prayers and lunch, to sample the Qurban cooking. Hung around for a bit - the weather being almighty hot - before deciding to head home.

Wa contemplating a dip in the pool until I realised that I left my gears in KL. Too lazy to head to the supermarket to buy a pair of new swim pants. So, would be bigging it in the room with Anita and the boys, accompanied by room service.

We planned to head to Sun Two for dinner tonight. We planned to go out early, have dinner there, maybe some shopping and an early night.

We would be leaving after breakfast tomorrow, hopefully reaching KL before 5 pm.

I could always hit the pool at the apartment of I fancy it ......

More entries here.

Back to the Hotel

After the Qurban was done for our part, we left for the hotel. My Dad and I were already starving by then. We went straight to the coffee house only to learn that the boys were yet to wake up!

Anita left the maid with them, and joined me for breakfast. She was hungry as well. The original plan was for them to have breakfast at one of the relative's house.

We would be returning to the Masjid for lunch. It would be part of the Qurban food which would be cooked. Better get the boys ready!

More reports on the trip here.