Maal Hijrah celebration calls on Muslims to stay united, set aside differences

KUALA LUMPUR: The nationwide celebration of the Islamic New Year, Maal Hijrah 1439H, calls on Muslims to stay united and set aside their differences to strengthen the solidarity of the ummah.
Themed “Kesatuan Ummah Kesejahteraan Negara”, the beginning of the new Islamic year was celebrated on moderate scale in all states, but brought an important message for all Muslims in commemorating the ‘hijrah’ or emigration of Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims from Makkah to Madinah.
In the capital, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak and his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor attended the national-level celebration at the Federal Territory Mosque.
In his speech, he said the sacrifices made by all quarters in setting aside their differences was the basis of Malaysia’s strength that had made it a progressive and dynamic Islamic state.
Also present were Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom and other Muslim Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.
In PERAK, the state-level celebration was held at Dewan Shariff of the Royal Malaysian Navy base in Lumut and was graced by the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah.
Also present was Raja Permaisuri of Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.
During the celebration which was attended by over 2,000 Muslims, the Sultan also presented a Special Award of Ar-Ridzuan to the State Mufti Tan Sri Dr Harussani Zakaria and the Perak Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award to former Perak Syarie Chief Judge Datuk Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof.
His Majesty also presented the Hammam Award to Al-Adli Mosque of Pekan Lumut; Best Muslim Cemetery Management Award to Kampung Chabang Lima Muslim Cemetery, Tanjung Malim; and Best Mosque Management Award to An-Nur Mosque, Batu 8, Hulu Kinta).
In SABAH, Yang Dipertua Negri Sabah Tun Juhar Mahirruddin called on the people to be vary of the attempts undertaken by certain quarters who wanted to destroy peace and harmony in this multi-racial and multi-religious country.
He said those culprits would do anything, including spreading lies and promoting politics of hate among the people, to achieve their goals.
As such, he said the people should set aside their differences and give priority to the effort to restore and preserve peace and unity, which had been enjoyed all these years.
The state-level celebration was held at the Dewan Sri Libaran, Sandakan, and was also attended by Chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.
At the event, former State Secretary Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Egoh was announced as the recipient of the Sabah Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1439 Award.
In SARAWAK, the celebration at Dewan Suarah Bintulu was graced by Yang Dipertua Negri Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.
In the afternoon, a special experience-sharing event will be held at the Surau Darul Iman, Kampung Jepak, Bintulu, involving speaker A. Kadir Omar, followed by a Maal Hijrah Forum at Masjid Darul Makmur, Kampung Jepak in the evening.
In TERENGGANU, Tengku Seri Temenggong of Terengganu, Tengku Baharuddin Sultan Mahmud graced the state-level celebration held at State Stadium, on behalf of the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, State Secretary Datuk Wan Nawawi Wan Ismail, State Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong and State Mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifly Muda were also present at the celebration which was attended by 3,000 people.
The State Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award was conferred to educator Jaafar Hassan, while Masjid Hadhari Jerteh, Besut, received the Best Mosque Management Award and Seri Malaysia Hotel received the Best Halal Restaurant Award.
In KEDAH, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff attended the state-level celebration at Wisma Darul Aman, Alor Setar.
Also present was Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah.
At the event, the Sultan also conferred the Kedah Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award to former Kedah Mufti Datuk Paduka Syeikh Hasbullah Abdul Halim.
In JOHOR, approximately 2,000 people attended the celebration at Dewan Besar Pusat Islam Iskandar here today.
The celebration was enlivened by nasyid performance and Maal Hijrah talk by Harryanto Rizal Rokman.
Former State Mufti Datuk Sha'ri @ Shangari Abdullah, 68, was named as the recipient of the Johor Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award.
In PAHANG, the state level celebration held at the Pahang RTM Auditorium was graced by Pahang Regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Approximately 3,000 people attended the event, including Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, State Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Osman and State Cabinet line-up.
The Pahang Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award was conferred to former State Mufti Datuk Sulaiman Ahmad. — Bernama