Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Thursday hailed Islamic agencies for their work in educating society but expressed sadness over the attitude of certain quarters which painted a negative picture of such efforts.

He said the programmes implemented by these agencies at the federal and state levels had had a great impact in moulding a united and harmonious society.

Islamic understanding rooted in the Sunnah Wal Jamaah and guided by the Quran and interpretations of the ulama had given rise to a society that adopted moderation, balance and justice in its actions and practices, he said.

Tuanku Abdul Halim was launching the national-level celebration of Prophet Muhammad's Birthday at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park here.

Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah also attended the function which carried the theme "Solidarity, the Pulse of National Transformation".

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and his wife, Datin Seri Hamidah Khamis, as well as Cabinet ministers and heads of foreign missions.

Tuanku Abdul Halim said he was sad that some quarters ridiculed and painted a negative picture of the work of the Islamic agencies, and he dismissed their claims and allegations as unfounded, irresponsible and extreme.

He said these agencies were set up to take charge of the management and development of Islamic affairs as well as to help religious agencies at the federal and state levels to administer Islamic affairs.

He expressed the hope that Islamic agencies would always remain on a solid, strong and effective foundation in carrying out their work.

"At the same time, collaboration between ulama and the administrators must be consolidated to ensure that the dignity of Islam and the welfare of the ummah (community) are always upheld," he said.

Tuanku Abdul Halim also touched on the importance of fostering a cordial relationship among one another, being tolerant and having mutual respect so as to maintain solidarity.

He said the success of Prophet Muhammad in uniting the Muslims and living in peace with non-Muslims, thus establishing a new society bound by the Charter of Madinah, should serve as an example to all.

In the context of Malaysia, he said, the assimilation of the 'Wasatiyyah' or moderation approach had been well-received by the people and facilitated efforts to maintain inter-racial solidarity enjoyed from the time the nation achieved independence.

He said it could not be denied that a small group of Muslims were influenced by extremism but added that the majority conformed to Wasatiyyah expoused by Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

At the event, former Federal Territory mufti Datuk Wan Zahidi Wan Teh was honoured as the recipient of the Tokoh Perdana Maulidur Rasul 2015 award which Tuanku Abdul Halim presented to him. Wan Zahidi received RM50,000, a certificate and souvenirs. Eight other people were presented the Maulidur Rasul 2015 award. Each of them received RM20,000, a plaque, certificate and souvenirs.

The Prophet Muhammad's Birthday celebration began earlier with a procession by 125 contingents comprising 11,400 participants drawn from various government and private agencies, uniformed bodies, NGOs and schools and tertiary institutions.

The 300KMJ Motorcycle Club was represented in the procession by 200 people riding high-powered motorcycles.

The participants chanted verses in praise of Prophet Muhammad as they marched a distance of 1.8 kilometres from the entrance of the park to Hall A.