Perak Sultan allows teachers to read Friday sermon to honour their role in society

The Perak Education Department's Muhammad Yahya (left) delivering the sermon at Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II. Seventh from right is Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa. – BERNAMApic

IPOH: The Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, has consented to honour teachers in the state by allowing them to read the sermon before Friday (May 12) prayers at selected mosques as a recognition of their roles in the country in conjunction with Teachers' Day on Tuesday (May 16).

Perak Islamic Religion and Malay Customs Council president Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini said in a statement that Sultan Nazrin also ordered the sermon to carry the theme "Guru Insani: Pemangkin Membangunkan Masyarakat Bertamadun" (Humane Teachers: Catalyst for Developing Civilised Society).

"This is the first time teachers in this state are given the honour of presenting the sermon before Friday prayers," he said when contacted.

Meanwhile, Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa consented to perform Friday prayers at the Sultan Idris Shah II Mosque, which is Perak’s state mosque, where the state Education Department’s Islamic Education Sector senior chief assistant director Muhammad Yahya read the sermon.

Raja Jaafar arrived at the mosque at 1pm and was greeted by State Secretary Datuk Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim.

During the sermon, Muhammad said humane teachers have not only mastered knowledge but also have good qualities such as patience, diligence, concern and respect, as well as the ability to delve into and understand the feelings or emotions of others.

"Educators play a major role in the effort to shape minds to build a civilised society with good character and highly cultured, prudent, dignified, honest, sincere, mature thinking that values peace and harmony, as well as patriotism," said Muhammad.

According to him, besides carrying out their role to teach and educate, teachers also act as caregivers, providing guidance and becoming role models to the people.

Among other mosques that were chosen to honour teachers were the Kinta Utara District Mosque (Sultan Azlan Shah Mosque), Kinta Selatan District Mosque and Kuala Kangsar District Mosque. – Bernama