American Visitor’s Johor Trip Turns Into a Memorable Hari Raya Experience
Johor Baru, The Gulf Observer: What started as a casual visit across the Causeway turned into a memorable cultural experience for American electrical engineer Brian Kessler, who unknowingly joined the Johor Royal Family’s Hari Raya open house at Istana Besar.
Visiting Singapore for work, Kessler decided to explore Johor Baru with his friend, Jay Lou, on his day off.
“The plan was just to check out some tourist spots and experience what this city has to offer. When we reached the city area, we saw a crowd lining up and decided to follow along,” he shared.
To his surprise, he found himself at the grand Hari Raya open house hosted by the Johor Royal Family.
“I have never been to a majority-Muslim country during Hari Raya, and this was my first peek into the culture. It was an unexpected and fascinating experience,” he added.
Locals Also Join the Festivities
Kessler and Lou were not the only ones who stumbled upon the open house.
A Johor-born couple, Azam Abdul Rahman and Suhaila Hamzah, along with their four children, also joined the celebration while on their way to Singapore.
“We came to celebrate Hari Raya with my sisters, who are going through tough times. One recently lost her husband, and the other’s home was affected by floods,” said Azam.
The couple took the opportunity to introduce their children to Johor’s rich history and Royal Family, as they had spent most of their lives in Kuala Lumpur.
“This was a great way for them to learn more about their roots,” said Suhaila.
Royal Presence at the Grand Celebration
The Hari Raya open house, held on the second day of the celebration, started at 9:30 AM and attracted a large crowd, with some arriving two hours before the event began.
His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, graced the event, spending time with the public, greeting and shaking hands with attendees.
Also present were:
- Johor Regent Tunku Mahkota Ismail and his wife Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda Johor
- Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim
- Tunku Panglima Johor Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim
- Tunku Putera Johor Tunku Abu Bakar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim
The event showcased Johor’s royal hospitality and brought together locals and visitors in a joyous celebration of unity and tradition.
