BY AWANG MUHAMMAD SYAHMI
KUCHING: Kuching will host the upcoming Ma’al Hijrah Celebration and the Sarawak 60th Anniversary of Independence Perdana Thanksgiving Ceremony at the state level this year.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi said that the ‘Majlis Doa Akhir Tahun 1444 Hijri and Awal Tahun1445 Hijri’ will take place at Masjid Jamek Sarawak on July 18, while the Ma’al Hijrah State Level Assembly will be held at the Islamic Complex Hall here on July 19.
In addition to that, the thanksgiving ceremony will also be held at Masjid Jamek Sarawak on July 21.
“The objective of the celebration is to commemorate and take appropriate lessons from the historic event of the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, his family and his companions from Makkah to Madinah.
“Thus, this is also to enhance the spirit of struggle and sacrifice of Muslims in efforts to develop the nation as well as the ummah as a whole,” he said.
He said this during a press conference on the celebration at the Majlis Islam Sarawak Office yesterday.
Dr Abdul Rahman also mentioned that these events would strengthen unity among Muslims and promote feelings of love and affection, including towards non-Muslims, in line with the spirit of Ma’al Hijrah.
Additionally, he added that there would be eleven Ma’al Hijrah Awards with cash prizes, plaques and certificates to be given to the winners.
In the meantime, these events are part of fourteen milestone events organised by Islamic agencies under the Sarawak Islamic Council (SIC) in the celebration of Sarawak’s 60th Independence anniversary.
The celebration is expected to be attended by Head of State Tun Pehin Seri Abdul Taib Mahmud and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Puan Sri Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tuanku Bujang.
SIC president Datuk Misnu Taha, Sarawak Mufti Department director and SIC secretary Mual Suaut, Sarawak Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) director Khalidi Ibrahim and JAIS deputy director Ahmad Sukarno Saini were also present.
