INTERACTIVE: A once-in-33-year Raya phenomenon

By SHYAFIQ DZULKIFLI

PETALING JAYA: In just eight years, Malaysia will witness a rare and special occurrence – celebrating two Hari Raya Aidilfitri in a single year. 

This event will take place in 2033, with Aidilfitri falling on January 2 and again on December 23.

This unique alignment of the Islamic and Gregorian calendars occurs due to the Hijri (Islamic) calendar being approximately 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar-based Gregorian calendar. 

Over time, this difference results in Islamic celebrations shifting earlier each year. 

Once every 33 years, this shift aligns in such a way that Muslims observe two Aidilfitri celebrations within the same Gregorian year.

Making 2033 even more special, the year will also see a rare holiday overlap.

Just two days after the December Aidilfitri celebrations, Malaysians will also celebrate Christmas on December 25.


Meanwhile, in January of the same year, another close pairing of celebrations will take place. 

The first Aidilfitri on January 2 will be followed by Chinese New Year on January 31, making the start of 2033 one of the most festive months in Malaysia’s history.

This once-in-33-year cycle isn’t just limited to 2033. 

The shifting Islamic calendar leads to fascinating overlaps with other major festivals like Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year will coincide closely in 2029, 2030, and 2031.

Meanwhile Aidilfitri and Deepavali will fall near each other in 2037, 2038, and 2039.

 

The previous 33-year Aidilfitri cycle

The last time Malaysia marked two Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations in a single year was in 2000, with the festivities falling on January 8 and December 27—the latter just two days after Christmas.

Meanwhile, the overlapping of Aidilfitri and Chinese New Year brought back-to-back festivities in 1996, 1997, and 1998, while the convergence of Aidilfitri and Deepavali lit up Malaysia in 2004, 2005, and 2006.


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