Misnu (second right), Siaw (second left) and others at the press conference on the state-level Maal Hijrah Celebration 2018.
SIBU: This year’s state-level Maal Hijrah celebration is centred in Sibu on Sept 10 and 11, according to Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) president Datu Misnu Taha.
He said about 1,000 people are expected at the Maal Hijrah gathering on Sept 11 at Sibu Islamic Complex at 10am.
“The highlights of the event will be on Sept 11, whereby there will be 12 recipients for the Maal Hijrah Awards.
“Every five years, we will choose ‘Tokoh’ (figure) Maal Hijrah. We will announce their (recipients’) names on Sept 11.
“The highest recognition will be the ‘Tokoh Khas’ Maal Hijrah Award,” Misnu told a press conference here yesterday.
The award carries a prize money of RM30,000 plus a plaque and a certificate.
Also present at the press conference were Sibu Resident Charles Siaw and his deputy Wong Hee Sieng. Misnu said the celebration will start on Sept 10 with ‘Majlis Doa Akhir dan Awal Tahun Hijrah’ at Masjid An-Nur, Sibu at 5.30pm.
The state-level celebration is jointly organised by MIS, Department of Islamic Affairs Sarawak, Sibu Resident’s Office as well as state and federal government agencies.
Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib as well as Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Patinggi Dato Jumaani Tuanku Bujang are expected to grace the occasion.
According to Misnu, side activities include a ‘ceramah’, ‘forum perdana’, and ‘zakat’ collection.
He urged Muslims here to join the celebration.