Former Ikim DG awarded national-level Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Monir Yaacob has been named the national-level Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah.

Abdul Monir, 77, was given the award for his contributions to Islamic development in the country, among others, in proposing the wearing of headscarves for female police officers in 2002 when he was the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Department’s integrity committee.

He has also served as a commissioner at the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) and was responsible for informing the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail that Muslim prisoners were having difficulty praying at the time because they were only allowed to wear white T-shirts and shorts.

When met by reporters, Abdul Monir urged Malaysians, especially politicians, to stay united and avoid creating divisions among the people.

He said he hoped that politicians would also not touch on matters already enshrined in the Federal Constitution for their political purposes.

Man of the hour: Abdul Monir celebrating with his wife, Datin Shaliza Muhammad and family during the Ma’al Hijrah celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday. – AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star

“For me, the problem is simple: we hope politicians in Malaysia, who are of various races, do not create issues that can destroy unity. Everyone wants unity, both politicians and communities of various races.

“The country will always be divided as long as some politicians spread hate and negativity about others,” he told reporters during the Maal Hijrah national celebration at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Abdul Monir also encouraged people to never stop learning as the world has endless fields of knowledge to understand and appreciate.

Meanwhile, the Grand Mufti of India, Sheikh Abu Bakar Ahmad Al-Malibari was conferred the International Tokoh Maal Hijrah award.

Sheikh Abu Bakr, 92, is the general secretary of the All India Muslim Scholars Association, one of the country’s largest organisations of Islamic scholars.

He is also the founder of Islamic University Jamia Markaz, which is the biggest education centre in Asia and provides education to students in 130 institutions in India and abroad.