Maal Hijrah moderately feted, platform to appreciate frontline leaders

Taking place in an environment when Malaysia is still facing COVID-19 and having to follow the Recovery Movement Control Order’s (RMCO) standard operating procedure (SOP), Maal Hijrah 2020/1442 was celebrated modestly and with gratitude.

Nevertheless, the atmosphere and spirit of Maal Hijrah was indeed still felt by the Muslims of this country even though ceremonies had to comply with the SOP including physical distancing and with the attendees wearing face masks.

This celebration was also a platform to appreciate the contribution of frontline leaders, who worked hard to face the challenge of checking COVID-19, when they were conferred the Maal Hijrah figures awards.

In Kuala Lumpur, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah consented to attend the National Maal Hijrah celebration at the National Mosque last night.

Their Majesties’ arrival was welcomed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Senator Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri.

Themed 'Ummah Rabbani Negara Harmoni', the ceremony, led by the Sudais Imam of Malaysia Ustaz Syukri Ali, began with the recitation of the Quran before continuing with the recitation of Yasin, tahlil and doa by the National Mosque chief imam Ehsan Mohd Hosni and followed by Maghrib prayers.

All the sweeter, in the event that was broadcast live on TV1, Health director general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah was announced as the national level Maal Hijrah Figure for 2020/1442 Hijrah.

Sheikh Al-Azhar Al-Syarif Sheikh Prof Dr Ahmad Tayyib was conferred the International Maal Hijrah Figure award.

Zulkifli said the selections of the two figures were made for their outstanding contributions in upholding Islam and receiving various recognitions at the local and international levels.

Continuing the appreciation, the celebration in Negeri Sembilan bestowed six frontline leaders with a Special Award in conjunction with the state level celebration.

They were Rasah Camp First Brigade commander, Brigadier General Mohd Nazri Abd Rahman, State police chief Datuk Mohamad Mat Yusop, State Health director, Datin Dr Harlina Abdul Rashid.

Also receiving the award were State Social Welfare Department director Rosnah Sardi, State Civil Defence Force director, Lt Colonel (PA) Fazlisyah Muslim and State People’s Volunteer Corp director Khairul Aswadi Kamarudin.

The Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir attended the simple ceremony at the Masjid Negeri which was headed by the State Mufti Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad.

In Kelantan, the Tengku Temenggung of Kelantan, Tan Sri Tengku Mohamad Rizam Tengku Abdul Aziz consented to attend the Maal Hijrah ceremony at the Al-Ismaili Pasir Pekan Mosque.

His Majesty was accompanied by Menteri Besar, Datuk Ahmad Yakob; Kelantan Police Chief, DCP Shafien Mamat; Kelantan Mufti, Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad and the state executive council line up.

At the ceremony, he also consented to give an award to Kelantan Maal Hijrah figure, the late Dr Yaakob Yusof, 65.

Meanwhile, in Sarawak, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud attended the celebration which was held in a modest but meaningful manner at the Al-Abyad Mosque, Matang Jaya here.

Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg who spoke at the ceremony said that the event of the Hijrah of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina should not be just a narration every time Awal Muharram arrived but more importantly it is a lesson and a guide.

Meanwhile, in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah Yang Dipertua Tun Juhar Mahiruddin together with more than 100 attendees attended the Ma'al Hijrah celebration and 2020 National Day celebration at the Sabah State Mosque here.

Sabah Mufti Datuk Bungsu @ Aziz Jaafar then delivered a special reminder on the context of migration and independence in a Muslim, followed by the congregational Isyak prayers.

-- BERNAMA