Muslims mark Maal Hijrah

High honour: Sultan Abdullah, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Idris Ahmad (second from right) with Tokoh Maal Hijrah award recipients Othman (right) and Othsman (left) at the Federal Territory Mosque in Kuala Lumpur. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Having faced a health and economic crisis due to Covid-19 for over two years, the Maal Hjirah 1444H/2022M celebration this year focused on the spirit of togetherness and consensus among the people in facing challenges as the “Malaysian Family”.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, in his speech at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration, said the Hijrah (journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Madinah) should serve as a guide in building a stable and glorious country in accordance with this year’s theme, Keluarga Malaysia Pemangkin Kemakmuran (Malaysian Family Catalyst For Prosperity).

At the ceremony held on Friday night, former director-general of the Islamic Development Department Tan Sri Othman Mustapha was named the national-level Tokoh Maal Hijrah while Cambodian Senior Minister in charge of Special Mission (Islamic Affairs) Oknha Datuk Dr Othsman Hassan was conferred the International Tokoh Maal Hijrah award, Bernama reported.

In Johor Baru, Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi, when speaking at the Maal Hijrah celebration at the Iskandar Islamic Centre, said the Hijrah should be the starting point for change in the universality of Islamic teachings around the world.

This year, the Johor Tokoh Maal Hijrah award was given to former Chief Syarie judge Datuk Amir Danuri, 72.

In Kuala Terengganu, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali, who is from Kampung Bukit Bayas, was named the recipient of the Tokoh Maal Hijrah award, which was presented by Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin at the Dewan Besar of Wisma Darul Iman.

In Pahang, the late warrior Mat Kilau, whose real name is Muhammad Khatib Rasu Abd Salam, was named the Tokoh Maal Hijrah. The award was received by his grandson Mohd Alhamadi Abu Bakar, 56.

The award comes with RM10,000, a trophy and a certificate.

Other award recipients were Pekan Hospital director Dr Fadilla Norli Muhammad, who received the Staff Innovation award (government/private/non-government bodies/higher education institutions), and the Pahang Broadcasting Department for the department category.

In Melaka, there were 13 recipients of the Maal Hijrah award with Yayasan Angin Ahmar Melaka chairman Datuk Hasnah Salam named the recipient of the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq award, which is the main award.

The award was presented by Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam during the Maal Hijrah celebration at Dataran Pusat Islam.

In Kota Kinabalu, former judge of the Syariah Court of Appeal Datuk Jasri @ Nasip Mat Jakir was named Tokoh Maal Hijrah during the state- level celebration at Dewan Saadah, Wisma Majlis Ugama Sabah.

In Kuching, the Maal Hijrah celebration was held at several places, with the biggest event held at the Sarawak Jamek Mosque.

The celebration at the mosque started with the raising of the Maal Hijrah flag after the Friday prayers.