Celebrating Hari Raya Together

What you can see

A Malay family is hosting a Hari Raya gathering at home. Guests from different backgrounds are being welcomed at the door, offered festive food and included in conversations.

Some of the children are talking closely with one another, while the adults are also chatting comfortably. The guests have removed their shoes before entering, which shows respect for the home.

A sign saying “All Are Welcome!” reinforces the welcoming mood, while traditional decorations, festive snacks and green packets show that the visitors are being included in the celebration rather than simply observing it from a distance.

What to notice for Q(a): This is a Relationship-type question. Name the people involved, describe how they are interacting, then explain what that interaction suggests about the relationship between hosts and guests.

The Question

“What does the way the people are interacting tell you about their relationship?”

Picture evidence you can use

• The hosts are greeting the guests warmly at the door — this suggests the visitors are genuinely welcomed, not merely invited out of politeness.
• The children from different backgrounds are talking comfortably together — this suggests familiarity and friendship rather than awkwardness.
• The family is sharing festive food with the guests — this shows generosity and a willingness to include others in an important family celebration.
• The guests have removed their shoes before entering — this shows that respect works both ways: the hosts welcome the guests, and the guests respect the household.

What a weak answer sounds like

“I think they have a good relationship because they are all smiling and celebrating together.”

The idea is relevant, but it relies on one general observation and does not explain the interaction between the people.

What a stronger answer sounds like

“I think the hosts and guests have a warm and respectful relationship. The family is welcoming the visitors at the door and sharing festive food with them, while the children from different backgrounds are talking comfortably together. The guests have also removed their shoes before entering, which shows that they respect the family’s home and customs. This makes the gathering feel more like friends and neighbours celebrating together than people who are simply visiting out of obligation. I think that kind of comfort only develops when people are willing to understand and respect one another.”

Why this works: It names both sides of the relationship, uses several visible interactions as evidence, and connects those interactions to respect and cultural understanding.

Going Beyond — add this

“I also think the relationship is strong because the guests are not just watching the celebration — they are being included in it. That can make people feel that another culture is something they can appreciate and share, rather than something unfamiliar to them.”

The Question

“Tell me about a time when you celebrated a festival.”

Experiences you could draw on

• Celebrating Hari Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali or another festival with family.
• Visiting a friend or neighbour during a festive open house.
• Taking part in a school celebration or cultural activity.
• Trying traditional food, learning a custom or joining a festive activity for the first time.
• Helping to prepare the home, food or decorations for a festival.

What a weak answer sounds like

“I celebrated Chinese New Year with my family. We ate food and visited relatives. It was fun.”

The experience is real, but it is too general. Almost any student could give the same answer.

What a stronger answer sounds like

“Last year, I celebrated Chinese New Year at my grandmother’s home with my extended family. What I remember most was helping her prepare the table before everyone arrived. I used to think the celebration was mainly about food and receiving red packets, but while helping her, I realised how much work went into bringing the whole family together. Later, my younger cousins and I served tea to the older relatives, and my grandmother explained why showing respect to elders is an important part of the celebration. That made the festival feel more meaningful to me than it had before.”

Why this works: It is specific, includes a real moment, and shows a change in understanding rather than simply describing what happened.

Going Beyond — add this

“That experience made me realise that festivals are not only about enjoying traditions. They are also one of the ways families pass their values and memories from one generation to the next.”

The Question

“Why is it important for people of different cultures to understand one another?”

What a weak answer sounds like

“It is important because people from different cultures should respect one another and live in harmony.”

The values are correct, but the answer does not explain how understanding leads to respect or harmony.

What a stronger answer sounds like

“I think it is important because people are less likely to judge something when they understand why it matters to someone else. A custom may seem strange if we only see it from the outside, but once someone explains the meaning behind it, we are more likely to respect it. In Singapore, people from different cultures live, study and work closely together, so misunderstandings can affect everyday relationships. Celebrations like the one in this picture can help because people are learning through real interaction, not just from a textbook. When people understand one another better, differences become less threatening and more interesting.”

Why this works: It explains cause and effect, connects the idea to Singapore’s multicultural setting, and goes beyond the festival itself.

Going Beyond — add this

“I also think understanding another culture does not mean we have to practise every tradition ourselves. It simply means we know enough to treat that tradition — and the people who value it — with respect.”

How my thinking has changed

Ask: “What did I used to assume about another festival or custom?”

Seeing the other person’s point of view

Ask: “How might it feel when others take a genuine interest in something important to you?”

What this makes me want to do

Ask: “How can I become more open to people who are different from me?”