KUCHING: Starting this year, the Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (LAKMNS) will organise the Maal Hijrah Festival every year.
LAKMNS chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai said holding the festival is one of the initiatives to invigorate the spirit in welcoming the arrival of the month of Muharram.
“This is also the first time that LAKMNS holds a festival for three days in a row, starting today until this Sunday (Jul 31), filled with interesting activities.
“There were also different activities such as e-sports, extreme sports and so on which are also organised to attract more young people to come to the mosque,” he said after completing the symbolic flag raising to mark the opening of the 2022 Maal Hijrah Festival held at Masjid Jamek here today.
Meanwhile, Wahap said the closing of the festival will be conducted by Senior Works Minister cum Petra Jaya Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof on Sunday.
When asked on the target number of visitors, he said it is difficult to predict because each activity has its own enthusiasts.
“However, this area can accommodate around 3,000 people at one time. Thus, it is hoped that people from various walks of life could come and participate in the festival.
“We can enliven the celebration, in addition to spreading awareness of the Islamic new year and promoting the mosque as a place to unwind, by promoting it and making it a public facility,” he added.
He also conveyed his appreciation to some of the main sponsors of the festival, namely Lubuk Tiara Sdn Bhd and Takaful Ikhlas General Berhad who each contributed RM20,000, including the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) which contributed RM10,000.
Wahap said the official flag of the LAKMNS Maal Hijrah Festival will be lowered on Sunday during the closing ceremony.
The flag has two main colours which are green which symbolises desire, perseverance and determination, while the yellow colour symbolises an optimistic personality.
Also present was LAKMNS deputy chief executive officer Mohamad Feisal Said as well as representatives of the sponsors of the festival.
