KUCHING: The theme of ‘Ummah Rabbani Negara Harmoni’ for this year’s Maulidur Rasul celebration is very appropriate in view of Malaysia’s multicultural and multi-religious society, said Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah.

He urged the Muslims to continuously develop their minds, faith, attitude, morals and knowledge in line with religious teachings. He said that a society united in diversity was not foreign to Islam.

“The core strength of Ummah Rabbani is quality human capital and this is the backbone of most of the government’s efforts and developments,” Abdul Karim pointed out when officiating at the Miri Division Maulidur Rasul celebration at Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak, Miri today.

He stressed that harmony in the community could only be created if individuals engaged in positive social interactions.

“This approach is the backbone of our national unity, allowing our multicultural and multi-religious people to live together harmoniously while upholding their respective identities and cultural aspects,” he said.

Abdul Karim stressed that racial and religious tolerance must be maintained to ensure the prosperity of the country and state in future.

Although there were no parades and processions this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the minister said there were still several programmes which could be conducted to enliven the Maulidur Rasul celebration.

During the event, various categories of awards were presented, including the Maulidur Rasul Figure Award (Anugerah Tokoh Maulidur Rasul) for Miri Division which was won by Temenggong Datuk Abdul Rahman Abang Fadzail.

The Best Mosque Award was won by Darul Istiqamah Mosque, Kampung Luak while the Best Surau award was presented to Surau Darul Falah, Kampung Lembah Hijau.

Meanwhile, the Best Preacher award was presented to Ustaz Azizul Hafidz Abdul Hardy whereas the ‘Saudara Kita’ Preacher Award (Anugerah Ikon Pendakwah Saudara Kita) was won by Mohd Amirul Rusydie Abdullah.

The Excellent Student Award was presented to Alya Aiman Abdul Aziz, represented by her father Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim. The Keluarga Mithali Award was presented to Mukhali Uhi and Mariam Ahmad.

In his speech, acting Miri Resident Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusuf said that the organising committee would also be holding a serious of religious talks at several mosques and suraus in Miri Division in conjunction with the celebration.