KOTA KINABALU – As Hari Raya Aidiladha approaches, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Mohd Noor wants Muslims to heed and embrace the lessons of the sacrifices made by Prophet Ibrahim AS and his son Prophet Ismail AS during difficult times.
He said the significance of Aidiladha is very important for Muslims as it brings about repentance, patience, and clarity while facing the Covid-19 which is a global pandemic.
“This is the second year we are experiencing the Aidiladha during the Covid-19 pandemic. As Muslims in Sabah, we must take the moral behind the story of Ibrahim and Ismail as a guideline in going through the crisis.
“Aidiladha this time will remind us of the meaning of being patient, being thankful, and of having a clear conscience in facing these difficult times together,” Hajiji said as he reminded Sabahans of the standard operating procedures to celebrate Aidiladha at home with family.
In the story of Qurbani, Ibrahim was willing to sacrifice his son Ismail in order to demonstrate his closeness to Allah. The name Qurbani comes from the word “Qurban” (sacrifice), whose root word is “Qurb” (closeness).
The chief minister – who is also assemblyman for Sulaman – handed more than 108 cattle for qurban at an event held at the compound of the Masjid Haji Noor in Kg Serusup.
Fifty mosque representatives received the cattle, which would be distributed to residents around Tuaran as well as to the military men and police force stationed in Sabah.
Also present were Sabah Special Affairs Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif; state Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim; state Assistant Tourism, Culture, and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai; state Assistant Finance Minister Jasni Daya; and state police management department chief Zabidi Mohd Zain. – The Vibes, July 18, 2021
