SHAH ALAM: Giving ‘duit raya’ (token of cash) during Aidilfitri is a tradition among Muslims in Malaysia.
Usually, cash is placed in small green envelopes and given to children who visit their kith and kin during Hari Raya.
This is also a common practice among organisations and philanthropists. In fact, they place ‘duit raya’ in coloured envelopes and distribute them to the underprivileged during the festive season.
Among the recipients of ‘duit raya’ are single mothers, orphans, senior citizens, and those from low-income groups.
Many organisations, including banks and supermarket chains, produce envelopes with their corporate logos, which help to promote their organisations when people distribute ‘duit raya’ in these envelopes.
Made of cloth
Usually, envelopes containing ‘duit raya’ are made of paper, but according to Aspalila Abdul Majid, these envelopes can be made of cloth too.
Earlier, Aspalila used to design bags, key holders, purses, and pouches to hold name cards and cameras from cloth.
However, today, she designs cloth packets, which are used by Muslims to distribute ‘duit raya.’
Aspalila started designing ‘duit raya’ pouches in 2003 upon a customer’s suggestion.
Aspalila began expanding her business to include cloth bags for diapers and prayer garments under the label ‘Tas Syawal’.
Additional information on products designed by Aspalila is available on her blog ‘Tote Boutique’.
Every year, the demand for duit raya pouches increases, and Tote Boutique receives large orders.
“Since I design the pouches on my own, I am only able to meet the demand for orders that come in before Ramadan,” said Aspalila, adding that she has designed 40 of such pouches.
Initially Tote Boutique products receive orders from Aspalila’s blog followers.
The raw materials come from the United States and China.
“The material for purses and duit raya pouches come from the United States, while snaps and hooks come from China,” she noted.
However, the material for purses and duit raya pouches is available in Malaysia too.
The cost of each pouch is between RM25.00 and RM30.00. Pouches can be cleaned easily and quickly, and they are reusable.
“After Hari Raya, people can store cash and passbooks in these pouches,” she said. — Bernama