From Nara to Perlis, a Japanese Muslim’s Raya journey

2026-03-21 - 03:30

Anna Tanaka Farhana, who hails from Nara,Japan, has lived in Malaysia since 2019. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) KUALA LUMPUR: Growing up in Nara, Japan – a serene city famed for its ancient temples and beautiful shrines – Hari Raya was once a distant celebration for Anna Tanaka Farhana. Back then, the idea of embracing Islam, marrying a Malaysian, and celebrating Aidilfitri seemed unlikely. Today, Anna joins many Malaysians in the cherished ritual of balik kampung, commuting from Selangor, where she lives, to her husband’s hometown in Perlis to celebrate Raya with his family. There, she helps her mother-in-law weave ketupat. When Syawal arrives, she visits her husband’s relatives, enjoys festive dishes with them, and captures special moments in photos. For Anna, Aidilfitri is not just about the many festive traditions observed – it is also about the warmth of family and the joy of reunion. “I love Raya celebrations because it’s a time to gather as a family, greet one another, ask forgiveness and eat together,” Anna, 31, told FMT Lifestyle. Anna, seen here reading the Quran, looks forward to celebrating Aidilfitri with her husband’s family after a month of fasting and prayerful reflection. (Moganraj Villavan @ FMT Lifestyle) She said Hari Raya reminds her of an important celebration in Japan – “Shogatsu”, the Japanese New Year. During this time, many Japanese return to their hometowns to celebrate with loved ones, gathering around festive dishes such as “osechi”, which are beautifully arranged traditional foods served in lacquered boxes. Although the food and customs differ, and the celebrations occur thousands of kilometres apart, both festivals share a similar heart: they centre on family. “It’s hard to go back every year, so I can’t always celebrate Shogatsu in Japan. For me, Hari Raya is my Shogatsu. “Sometimes I miss my family in Japan, so celebrating Raya with everyone here lets me experience a sense of family,” said Anna, who became a Muslim in 2016. Anna is all smiles as she breaks fast with two Malaysians at an iftar gathering in Japan in 2018. (Anna Tanaka Farhana pic) Before she got married, Anna – the first Muslim in a Shinto and Buddhist family – would celebrate Aidilfitri at a mosque in Japan, praying and sharing a meal with other Muslims. Those celebrations were modest compared to what she would later experience in Malaysia. Yet the sense of community she felt at the mosque gave warmth and meaning to the day – much like celebrating Raya with her husband’s family. Anna moved to Malaysia after marrying in 2019. Today, the mother of two has grown to love the warmth of Malaysian life – from its people to its weather and its food. Satay, she shared with a smile, is her absolute favourite. She also became fluent in Bahasa Malaysia, learning the language while still in Japan, and later spending a month studying it at a local university. Determined to improve, she makes a conscious effort to practise speaking it daily. Anna has grown to love Malaysia’s people, the weather and the food, with satay being her favourite. (Anna Tanaka Farhana pic) Anna also shares glimpses of her life in Malaysia with her over 248,000 followers on social media, posting videos in BM. Indeed, it was a unique experience for this writer, who is of Indian-Chinese heritage, to interview a Japanese Muslim entirely in Malay. Yet in many ways, that reflects the heart of Anna’s story. From Japan to Malaysia, from Shogatsu to Syawal, Anna’s story shows how celebrations across cultures often carry the same meaning at their core: a journey home; a table shared with loved ones; and the comfort of knowing where you belong. For Anna, what was once a distant celebration has become a cherished one, reflecting the true spirit of Hari Raya – where open hearts, forgiveness and family bring people together, no matter where they come from. Follow Anna on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.