MERSING: The “malam tujuh likur” held here recently for the first time not only brought back childhood memories but also helped liven up the pre-Aidilfitri atmosphere.

       A check by Bernama found that many did not want to miss out on the opportunity to keep the age-old tradition alive by putting up oil lamps at the Agrotourism Hall in Kampung Air Papan.

       Nurul Aini Ismail, 29, from Kampung Air Merah, was thrilled to learn of the one-day event via social media and immediately persuaded her husband to join in.

       “I want my child to feel the joyful atmosphere ahead of Hari Raya and appreciate the beauty of traditional lamps, more so because we couldn’t really celebrate Hari Raya for the past two years,” she said.

       Housewife, Norashikin Johari, 28, said she learnt about the programme through a WhatsApp message to the villagers.

       “I hope this tradition, which usually takes place in the last 10 days of Ramadan, will live on so that our children can enjoy it too.

       “My three-year-old son was delighted to see the rows of oil lamps and to play with sparklers with the other children after being cooped up in the house for so long during the pandemic,” she said.

       Mersing Makmur Welfare Organisation chairman, Azhar Zainal Abidin, said he hoped the programme would be held annually on a big scale and include other exciting activities.

       The event was organised by the Mersing Tourism Association in collaboration with Tourism Johor, the Mersing district council, Kampung Air Papan Security and Development Committee and the Mersing Makmur Welfare Organisation.