KUALA LUMPUR: The 1434 Maal Hijrah celebration yesterday was celebrated moderately with religious activities including lectures and talks urging Muslims to move towards unity in line with the theme this year ‘Wasatiyyah The Pillar of Muslim Unity.’
In Putrajaya, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, in his speech in conjunction with the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration, said Muslisms must rid themselves of traits which create disunity but seek similarities and not differences and to be fair and sincere in order to build strength and unity among Muslims.
He said unity requires sacrifices, sincerity and a deep spirit of acceptance: finding good and not bad, perfection and not flaw: always celebrating; praising, advising, speaking out and shunning neglect, abuse, insult or lies.
In Kota Kinabalu, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the 1Malaysia concept introduced by the prime minister provides an avenue for all, regardless of race and religion, to contribute and sow good deeds for the welfare and peace of the country.
“As such, in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebration this year, let us strengthen unity and cooperation not only among Muslims but among Malaysians of different communities and religions,” he said.
At the ceremony, Adenan Mohd Yussuf and Prof Dr Hajah Arsiah Bahron were named recipients of
Maal Hijrah Prominent Figure and Saiyidatina Khadijah Award for Sabah this year.
In Melaka, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said Muslims in Melaka must use the Islamic new year as a transformation to aggressively counter lies against the Quran and prophet Muhammad.
“We must reject leaders who use religion for political interest which can confuse Muslims,” he said.
During the ceremony, education figure and Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Pro-Chancellor Tan Sri Dr Abdul Rahman Arshad, 76, was picked as the Maal Hijrah prominent figure for Melaka.
In Kuantan, the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah urged Muslims to appreciate the concept of ‘wassatiyah’ or moderation in continuing the concept of hijrah by prophet Muhammad.
“Like the prophet’s hijrah which later succeeded in establishing an Islamic government which comprised numerous communities or pluralistic society, the concept of wasatiyyah, if practised in this country, which comprise numerous communities, can create a glorious and harmonious county,” he said.
During the ceremony, Sultan Ahmad Shah handed over the Maal Hijrah Award to Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Shafie, a Pahang-born academician with vast experience in education and had published 10 books on Islamic Law.
In Johor Baharu, Menteri Besar Abdul Ghani Othman urged all Muslims to unite, practise moderation and reject extremism in life.
“The culture of moderation is key to ensure the harmonious life of the multi-racial communities in the country.
“Indeed, as a result of practising the moderate approach in the past, Malaysia, as a democratic nation, has become an industrial nation with moderately high income,” he said.
Assistant director of Johor Mufti Office Secretariat to Tackle Faith and Syariah Issues, Jainal Sakiban, 65, was named Maal Hijrah Prominent Figure due to his numerous contribution expecially in Islamic calligraphy. — Bernama
In Kuala Terengganu, the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin urged all parties to abide by the ban on talks without getting the acreditation of the state religious department.
“The ban was issued so that it is obeyed by all to ensure stability and welfare of the state and its people,” he said in a ceremony to celebrate state level Maal Hijrah celebration.
During the ceremony, former Terengganu religious affairs commissioner (1994-1998) Datuk Ismail Ali, 70, was named as Terengganu Maal Hijrah Prominent Figure this year.
In Pengkalan Hulu, the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah urged Muslims to understand the philosophy behind the act of hijrah and not only the festivities.
He said this was because not many individuals dared to perform the hijrah (migration) especially that involving the mind and attitude.
He handed the Maal Hijrah Prominent Figure Award to Datuk Syeikh Mohamad Nor Mansor Al-Hafiz, 55, and Special Maal Hijrah Award to Sekolah Taayah and opened the Jamek Mosque in Pengkalan Hulu.
In Alor Setar, Kolej Universiti Insaniah (KUIN) former registrar Datuk Abdul Razak Mohd Yusof, 70, was selected as Kedah Maal Hijrah Prominent Figure.
The award was handed by member of the Kedah Council of Regency, Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah who is also Tunku Temenggong of Kedah. — Bernama