Agong to launch 1433 Maal Hijrah celebrations Sunday

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25, 2011): Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal
Abidin is scheduled to launch the national-level 1433H Maal Hijrah celebrations
this Sunday.

The celebration this time is themed, 'Mutual Understanding the Foundation
for Unity of the Community'.

The Malaysia Islamic Development Department in a statement today
said Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah was also expected to attend the
opening ceremony to be held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.

Also present will be Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife
Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and
wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman, cabinet ministers, foreign envoys and
other invited guests.

The statement said the theme chosen was in line with the government's
objective for the people to be united, cooperative and mutually understanding,
as well as to respect each other's faith in helping Malaysia become a developed
nation by 2020.

A total of 4,500 participants from 122 contingents from the government and
private sector are also expected at the gathering.

The highlight of the event will be the presentation of the national and
international Tokoh Maal Hijrah awards to the selected candidates based on such
criteria as being widely knowledgeable, possessing outstanding personality and
having made excellent contributions to Islam. They will each receive RM100,000,
a plaque, medal and certificate of appreciation.

The Maal Hijrah celebrations will also include a special religious forum,
and reading of the Yasin and a Doa Selamat at the National Mosque tomorrow. - Bernama