The streets of Kampong Glam exploded in an array of multi-coloured lights spelling out festive greetings yesterday, when Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng launched this year's Hari Raya light-up.
The light-up is part of month-long activities organised by Jalan Besar GRC grassroots bodies to mark Hari Raya Puasa on Oct 1. The festival celebrates the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, which starts on Sept 1 and ends on Sept 30.
The Kampong Glam light-up, themed as Hari Raya @ The City, will last until Oct 5.
In conjunction with the light-up, a 21/2 hour concert pulling in 2,000 people took place last night. Performers included Asian Idol Hady Mirza and groups from Jalan Besar GRC.
Throughout the month, the neighbourhood will buzz with activities such as the nightly breaking of the fast at the Sultan Mosque in Mascat Street, a food-and-goods bazaar along Kandahar Street and performances by members of community clubs at the Malay Heritage Centre every weekend.
This article was first published in The Straits Times on August 25, 2008.
