Thousands join nationwide Maulidur Rasul celebrations

Neighbourhood pride: Residents of Kampung Seri Pulau carrying the Jalur Gemilang while riding horses as part of the parade in conjunction with the Maulidur Rasul and National Month celebrations in Kubang Kerian, Kota Baru. — Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims from all walks of life joined Maulidur Rasul celebrations through processions and selawat recitations, commemorating the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad.

In Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah graced the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration.

His Royal Highness presented the Tokoh Maulidur Rasul Award to Hindon Abdullah, 84, a prominent figure in the state’s Muslim women’s movement and in family and community development.

In Kedah, Sultan Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah graced the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration and presented awards to the imam of Jame’ As-Shahab Kepala Batas Mosque Che Ismail Bakar and former state mufti Datuk Paduka Syeikh Hasbullah Abdul Halim.

Scent-sational gesture: Resident Rosman Sabdin, 60, voluntarily spraying perfume on parade participants during the Malacca State-level Maulidur Rasul celebration in Bukit Baru, Melaka. Approximately 101 contingents involving nearly 7,000 participants joined the parade, marching from Stadium Tun Fatimah in Bukit Serindit to the Dataran Pusat Islam in Bukit Baru. — Bernama

In Negri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Tunku Ampuan Besar Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, accompanied by Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin, graced the state-level celebration.

In Pahang, Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah presented former state financial officer Datuk Norzan Ahmad with the Tokoh Maulidur Rasul award.

In Terengganu, the Regent of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar attended the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration.

Activist Muhd Asmawi Mukhtar @ Awang and community organisation Gong Tok Nasek Care were honoured with the Ummah Volunteer Award, while the Islamic Author Award was presented to Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) lecturer Prof Dr Engku Ahmad Zaki Engku Alwi.

Colourful procession: (Above and below) Participants taking part in the Sungai Petani Parliamentary-level Maulidur Rasul celebration parade at Masjid Kariah Bandar Perdana, as a boy plays badminton in the foreground. The 2.4km parade involved 36 contingents comprising various agencies and organisations, as well as secondary and primary schools. — Bernama

In Melaka, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam led the Maulidur Rasul procession involving nearly 7,000 participants from 101 contingents. The procession was also joined by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

In Penang, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib and his wife Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah attended the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration, which saw former state secretary Datuk Seri Zulkifli Long honoured as Penang Tokoh Maulidur Rasul.

In Johor, Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi led a procession involving 5,000 participants in conjunction with the state-level celebration which was held in Batu Pahat.

In Sabah, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman officiated the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration, which took place at the Sabah International Convention Centre in Kota Kinabalu.

In Kelantan, the Maulidur Rasul and National Month celebrations at the Al Taqwa Mosque in Kubang Kerian were also enlivened by the participation of over 20 horses and 400 participants.

Seri Pulau Rukun Tetangga chairman Mat Zohari Abdullah said the participation of horses in the procession was a suggestion of a local horse breeder who wanted to contribute to the success of the programme.

He said the presence of the horses also holds symbolic value, as the animals were among the mounts used since the time of Prophet Muhammad.