Muslims In Southern Thailand Observe 'Rayo Nae'

PATTANI, June 12 (Bernama) -- Muslims in southern Thailand today welcomed ‘Rayo Nae’ (celebration to mark the completion of the six days of fasting in the month of Syawal) by visiting the graves of family members and reciting the Quran. The Muslims in Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and four districts in Songkhla, namely, Chana, Saba Yoi, Thepha and Na Thawi, have been observing ‘Rayo Nae’ for generations to mark the completion of the fasting which started from the second day of Syawal. On ‘Rayo Nae’, the Muslims took the opportunity to visit and clean up the graves of the family members. According to religious teacher from a school in Chana district, Songkhla, Abdul Shukur Safie, reciting the Quran at the graves has become a practice among the locals on ‘Rayo Nae’. “Local residents are keen on observing the ‘Rayo Nae’ that will commence with performing the Rawatib prayers, followed by a visit to the graves and then sharing meals at the mosque,” he told Bernama here Wednesday. In addition, the locals will also prepare sumptuous meals including ketupat and laksa for their immediate family members in conjunction with ‘Rayo Nae’. -- BERNAMA