Maal Hijrah a time for self-reflection for every Muslims — Abang Jo

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Abang Johari presenting a table fan to one of the winners of the lucky draw.

KUCHING: The Maal Hijrah celebration is meant as the time for Muslims to take a step back and make improvements to their lives by doing good deeds.

Sarawak Mosques Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) vice-chairman Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg said this was part and parcel of the occasion, adding that it also acted as a platform to strenghten the unity among Muslims in the state.

He was speaking at the closing of the two-day celebration in Masjid Jamek here yesterday.

He noted that for this year’s Maal Hijrah – or Awal Muharram, which marks the start of Muharram, the first month on the Islamic calendar – the programme running from Oct 14 to 25 included a total of 27 activities ranging from seminars to sports and recreational competitions.

Some of these activities, he said, were also participated by non-Muslims which reflected the deep and strong bond among Sarawakians.

Earlier, Abang Johari – who is also Tourism Minister – flagged off a Health Run at the mosque and after that, welcomed the Maal Hijrah motorcycle convoy from Sematan.

“Next year, LAKMNS plans for the convoy to reach the tip of Sarawak in Lawas before make its way back to Kuching. Along the journey, convoy members will make stops at divisional mosques or suraus and engage with the communities there,” he added.

Meanwhile, LAKMNS general manager Sabry Othman said that this year marked the sixteenth anniversary of the board organising Maal Hijrah celebration in the state.

This time around, he added, the Surau Hidayatul Rahman of Kampung Gersik near Petra Jaya here was declared overall Maal Hijrah champion after garnering the highest points from the sports and recreational competitions.

The winning surau team lifted the coveted trophy as well as RM10,000.

At second place was Masjid Darul Ehsan of Kampung Muda Hashim, which bagged RM7,000, while Masjid Darul Ibadah of Kampung Kudei Lama finished third and took home RM5,000.

Abang Johari (third right) handing the mock cheque for RM10,000 over to members of the winning team Surau Hidayatul Rahman of Kampung Gersik. Witnessing the presentation are Sabry (second right) and LAKMNS secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Bujang Nor (fourth right). — Photos by Muhammad Rais Sanusi