First Maal Hijrah celebrated with procession - Jamil Khir

The national Maal Hijrah 1437H celebrations on Oct 14 will see the first-ever procession held to commemorate Prophet Muhammad's migration from Makkah to Madinah.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom said about 50,000 participants are expected to join the procession which will be from several major locations in the city and end at the National Mosque, which is the venue for the Maal Hijrah celebrations this year.

He added that the procession will include civil servants, staff of statutory bodies and private companies, KAFA and takmir teachers, imams, uniformed bodies, youth organisations, students, non-governmental organisations, and the public.

"I will lead the procession from Dataran Merdeka, while the other contingents will move from Padang Merbok, Masjid Jamek, National Museum and the women will move from the Islamic Arts Museum," he told a press conference on the celebrations, Thursday.

He said this year would also be the first time the celebrations are held at the National Mosque to commemorate the 50th year of the mosque as a landmark of Islam in the country.

Jamil Khir said the theme of this year's Maal Hijrah, "Unity The Pulse of National Transformation' was very significant with the current situation and in line with the government's efforts to stress on the principle of acceptance, patriotism and social justice.