SARIKEI: The 2026 Sarawak-level Maulidur Rasul celebration, to be held at Dewan Sentral Sarikei on Aug 25, will feature only a gathering, without a procession, due to the haze and hot weather.
Coordinating chairman of the 2026 Sarawak-level Maulidur Rasul celebration Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said the celebration was originally scheduled to take place at the Sarikei Sports Complex, but the venue and programme were changed as a precautionary measure.
"Following the changes, the number of participants from the 125 contingents has also been adjusted to between 2,500 and 3,000 to suit the capacity of the new venue,” he said in a press conference on Wednesday (Aug 19).
He said contingents that had confirmed their participation would be asked to reduce the number of participants to ensure that the event could be conducted in a more orderly manner.
Abdul Rahman, who is also Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier’s Department, said the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, his wife Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi, and Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg are scheduled to attend the gathering.
The night before the celebration, they will attend a thanksgiving and zikir ceremony at Al-Muttaqin Mosque, listen to a special lecture by Sarawak Mufti Datuk Khalidi Ibrahim, and perform Maghrib and Isyak prayers with the local community.
Abdul Rahman said four accompanying events would also be held in conjunction with the celebration, including the Forum Perdana Ehwal Islam on Aug 25, as well as religious talks and forums at mosques and surau across Sarawak throughout the month of Rabiulawal. – Bernama
