SEEKING FOR FORGIVENESS, RECEIVING BLESSINGS

I would like to share with you a very wonderful practice carried out in many schools throughout Malaysia, that is, the students seeking of forgiveness and blessings from teachers before Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Usually the Muskims will ask for forgiveness from their elders on the first day of Hari Raya. This is a time of forgiveness within the Muslim community and a time for strengthening of bonds amongst relatives and friends. Hari Raya is also a time to ask for forgiveness, reconcile and renew relationships with others.
I was told that the practice of of seeking for forgiveness during Hari Raya is taught to a Muslim child when he or she is still young. The kissing of the hand of an elder is a form of respect. “Seeking forgiveness is a must during Hari Raya.
I have been teaching in this school since 1997 and it has become a tradition every year for the students to to approach their teachers and seek forgiveness for the misdeeds they committed the previous year. And in return, the teachers would reciprocate such honourable gesture with their blessings and kind words.