Royal honour: Sultan Ibrahim presenting the Tokoh Perdana award to Abdul Rashid at the 2025/1447H National Maulidur Rasul celebration at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang. Looking on is Anwar. — Bernama
SERDANG: The principle of giving back to society has long been the guiding philosophy of Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) chairman Tan Sri Abdul Rashid Hussain, who was the recipient of the Tokoh Perdana award at the 2025/1447H National Maulidur Rasul celebration here.
Speaking to reporters after receiving the award yesterday, Abdul Rashid, 79, said he has always believed in working hard, contributing to society and upholding his faith as a practising Muslim, stressing that Muslims must continuously find ways to serve the community.
“I hope I can set a good example by showing that we must always give back to society,” he said, Bernama reported.
Abdul Rashid, who is the 10th president of the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) for the 2025-2028 term, said that after retiring from the corporate world, he declined numerous offers to return to the sector, instead choosing to serve institutions close to his beliefs, such as TH and IIUM.
“I’m not seeking recognition. I accepted these roles because they are part of my passion and belief.
“If God allows and the government agrees, I will continue to do my best for the betterment of these institutions,” he added.
Maulidur Rasul Award recipient Syeikh Wazir Che Awang Al-Makki Hafizahullah, a prominent Kelantan ulama, said the government needs to pay more attention to the development of pondok schools, in addition to setting aside political differences for the sake of the unity of the ummah.
The Jabhah Pondok Kelantan deputy chairman and adviser of the Kesatuan Pondok Kelantan said Muslims should not be separated by politics.
He expressed support for the introduction of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in pondok schools.
He said the move is important to ensure students are not left behind in mainstream education and is in line with current national development needs.
Earlier, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, attended the celebration at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (Maeps).
Their Majesties arrived at 9.26am, and were greeted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
At the event, His Majesty presented the Anugerah Perdana Maulidur Rasul to Abdul Rashid and to recipients of the various categories under the Maulidur Rasul Award in recognition of their contributions to the development of the ummah and the country.
Among them was entrepreneur and social media influencer Khairul Amin Kamarulzaman, better known as Khairul Aming, who was named the recipient of the Maulidur Rasul Award in the Successful Entrepreneur/Technocrat category.
Actress Ardini Angeline Tan received the Maulidur Rasul Award in the Outstanding New Convert (Mualaf) category.
Themed “Membangun Ummah Madani”, the ceremony was attended by nearly 10,000 guests.
This year’s Maulidur Rasul celebration emphasised the importance of emulating the leadership of the Prophet Muhammad, which is centred on justice and kindness in building a just, civilised and viable society.
The journey of the Hijrah and the Madinah Charter serve as the foundation for the “Ummah Madani” concept, aligning with the government’s commitment to upholding the dignity of Islam and enhancing the well-being of society in Malaysia.
This year’s celebration is particularly significant, highlighting the Quba Mosque – the mosque built by Prophet Muhammad during the Hijrah – as a symbol of the establishment of Islam’s physical institutions that support the social and political structure of the ummah.
A total of 6,165 participants from 120 contingents representing ministries, statutory bodies and private agencies participated in the Maulidur Rasul, accompanied by the recitation of the “selawat” (prayers of peace and blessings).
