Norain keeps Raya card tradition alive, receives reply from palace

2026-03-17 - 01:23

Norain Mohamad Hadi could hardly believe it when she received a Raya card from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong last year. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: In an age of e-cards and digital messages, Norain Mohamad Hadi prefers a slower, more personal method – sending physical Hari Raya cards. For the 34-year-old government employee, this old-school method is about preserving tradition. It has also brought unexpected moments of joy, such as when she received a Raya card last year from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Ibrahim. “A Hari Raya card may seem like a small gesture, but when it comes from the palace, it carries great meaning,” she told Bernama with a smile. “When I opened my mailbox and saw the card, I could hardly believe it. I was told only 200 people received it, and I felt extremely grateful.” The first Raya card she ever received from a prominent figure came from the sultan of Brunei, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah – another moment she describes as deeply meaningful. Norain shared that her interest in sending physical festive cards began during the pandemic in 2021. “It was difficult to go out and meet people. I came across a Raya card collectors’ community on Facebook and, from there, began collecting cards and sending them to friends and several public personalities,” she recalled. Through the online community, Norain picked up the etiquette of writing and sending Raya cards, including how to address royalty and other notable personalities appropriately. Norain enjoys sending out physical Raya cards as they special carry meaning: ‘You can keep and hold them, unlike digital greetings.’ (Bernama pic) “Usually, I buy stamps about three months before Ramadan. I buy some cards from bookstores or online, while others I design myself before printing them,” she added. The cards are typically mailed about two weeks before Ramadan so they are received approximately a week before Aidilfitri. For Norain, sending Hari Raya cards is also a unique way to connect with people who are otherwise difficult to reach. “With ordinary people, we can communicate through WhatsApp or contact them directly. But with VIPs, one of the few ways to communicate is through letters or cards like these,” she explained. She once sent a congratulatory card to King Charles III in conjunction with his coronation in May 2023, and even received a reply several months later! Norain, who spends up to RM600 a year on cards and stamps, describes it as a hobby with sentimental value: “Physical Raya cards carry special meaning. You can keep and hold them, unlike digital greetings.” Her interest has even rubbed off on her eight-year-old daughter, who enjoys pasting stamps and making her own greeting cards.