KUALA LUMPUR – For the second year in a row, the Maal Hijrah 2021/1443 celebration was held in several states on a moderate scale, with thankfulness and gratitude as the country battles the Covid-19 pandemic.
Themed “Manhaj Rabbani, Ummah Berkualiti”, the new year celebration holds significant meaning for Muslims in remembering the historical events of Prophet Muhammad and the Muslims’ migration from Mecca to Madinah.
In Putrajaya, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah called on all Malaysians to be guided by the spirit of the Hijrah in battling the Covid-19 pandemic and to rise together to strengthen unity, maintain health and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the sake of the country.
In His Majesty’s speech at a hybrid celebration held at the Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin Mosque, Al-Sultan Abdullah urged Malaysians to comply with the four-phase National Recovery Plan (NRP), which is a strategy to exit from the clutches of the pandemic.
At the same event, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin expressed hope that the arrival of the Islamic new year would endow Muslims with faith and patience to continue their efforts in the fight against Covid-19 through the NRP actively being implemented by the government.
Muhyiddin also hoped the Maal Hijrah celebration would continue to be appreciated and highlighted by Muslims in the country, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic battle.
The celebration yesterday also witnessed former National Mosque grand imam Tan Sri Syaikh Ismail Muhammad being announced as the Tokoh Maal Hijrah at the national level while Rabitah Al-‘Alam Al-Islamiy Makkah Al-Mukarramah secretary-general and Saudi Arab Royal Council adviser As-Syeikh Dr Muhammad Abdulkarim Al-Issa was named International Tokoh Maal Hijrah.
In Negri Sembilan, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun hoped the Maal Hijrah celebration this year would give the people the motivation to be bold in facing all challenges, apart giving them confidence and courage in facing the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I urge all to foster the spirit of the brotherhood and unity and jointly develop a dynamic, blessed and harmonious Negri Sembilan, and pray for the situation to return to normal as before,” he said at the Maal Hijrah celebration and launch of Hijrah Merdeka Online virtually yesterday.
In Selangor, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in a statement called on Muslims to prepare themselves to face a challenging time and to be ready to change for the better this new year.
In Penang, former judge of the shariah appeal court Datuk Seri Dr Md Yusup Che Teh, 70, who also served as sharie chief justice of the Penang Judiciary Department, was announced as the state’s Tokoh Maal Hijrah.
Meanwhile, former principal of SMK Agama Al-Irshad Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid, 66, was the recipient of the Special Ulamak Award at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration officiated virtually by Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak last night.
In Kelantan, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob said the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic should serve as a lesson for Muslims to strengthen their friendships and to help each other.
“The Hijrah event also teaches us to be patient in facing challenges, including to continue striving and putting our trust in Allah SWT,” he said in a message in conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebration yesterday.
In Perak, Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad attended the state-level Maal Hijrah ceremony at the Sultan Azlan Shah Mosque in Ipoh last night.
Among those present were members of the Perak state executive council, Perak Islamic Religious Department director Datuk Mohd Yusop Husin, Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin and Perak police chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid.
In Sarawak, Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg, in his address at the State Mosque in Petra Jaya last night, reminded all Muslims in the state to not become a society that only watches idly as Sarawak continues to develop, but to seize the opportunity to improve their economic standing.
He said to become a developed state with a high-income population, Muslims need to work together with others in Sarawak to make the most of the opportunities created as a result of government initiatives to open up more avenues to boost the state’s economy.
In Terengganu, state mufti Datuk Syeikh Abdul Halim Abd Kadir, 86, was honoured with the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award this year, in celebrations that were aired online.
Other awards given included the Tokoh Imam Cemerlang awarded to Abd Wahab Muhammad, 77, from Kg Rawai Mosque, Marang, while the Tokoh Bilal Cemerlang award was presented to Mohamad Puteh, 67, from Kg Pecah Rotan Mosque, Kuala Nerus.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar had earlier said in his speech that Muslims of calibre know how to maintain a physical, emotional, spiritual and intellectual balance and are capable of facing any challenge without doubt as they had faith in Allah’s qada’ (preordained destiny) and qadar (decree from eternity). – Bernama, August 10, 2021
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