Muslims usher in Aidilfitri with prayers

Muslims in the country today performed prayers to usher in Aidilfitri on the first day of Syawal after having observed the month-long Ramadan fast. In the federal capital, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, performed Aidilfitri prayers at the National Mosque, with about 20,000 people. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman and Muslim Cabinet ministers also performed prayers at the mosque. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the Raja Permaisuri Agong hosted an Aidilfitri open house at the Istana Negara, scheduled from 11 am to 2 pm. Najib and his Cabinet ministers hosted an open house at the prime minister's official residence, Seri Perdana, in Putrajaya, scheduled from 10.30 am to 4 pm. In Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V performed Aidilfitri prayers at the Muhammadi Mosque in Kota Baharu, joined by thousands of people. The Tengku Mahkota, Tengku Muhammad Fa-Iz Petra and Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakub also performed prayers at the mosque. The sultan later held an audience at the State Mosque in Kubang Kerian. Menteri Besar Ahmad held an Aidilfitri open house today. In Teengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin joined about 2,000 people for Aidilfitri prayers at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Kuala Terengganu. Members of the royalty, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and state dignitaries also performed prayers there. Ahmad Said held an open house at the menteri besar's official residence in Seri Iman, Batu Buruk, scheduled from 10.30 am to 3 pm. In SelangorR, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed prayers with more than 10,000 people at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam. The Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah; Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim and Selangor Islamic Religious Affairs Department director (Jais) Datuk Marzuki Hussin also performed prayers at the mosque. Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah held an open house at the Istana Bukit Kayangan for heads of state government departments. The state government Aidilfitri open house was held at the State Legislative Assembly square, scheduled from 11 am to 2 pm. In Melaka, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron performed Aidilfitri prayers at the Al Azim Mosque in Bukit Palah, along with about 10,000 people. Mohd Khalil and Idris held an Aidilfitri open house at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh, scheduled from 10 am to 4 pm.