Aidiladha celebrated in moderation

KUALA LUMPUR: Muslims in the country celebrated Aidiladha yesterday in peace and moderation in the spirit of sacrifice and gratitude.

Aidiladha honours the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God 's command. Before the prophet could sacrifice his son, God provided a ram to sacrifice instead.

The fine weather in most parts of the country enabled Muslims to attend, in comfort, the Aidiladha prayers and the sacrificial slaughter of animals at the level of mosques, villages and districts.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, attended Aidiladha prayers, along with thousands of worshippers, at Masjid Al-Ismaili in Tumpat, Kelantan. His Majesty was accompanied by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob and the Mufti of Kelantan, Datuk Mohamad Shukri Mohamad.

In Kota Bharu, the Regent of Kelantan, Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, attended Aidiladha prayers with the people at Masjid Muhammadi. He was accompanied by the Tengku Temenggong of Kelantan, Tengku Tan Sri Muhammad Rizam Tengku Abdul Aziz; Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Amar Nik Abdullah and state executive councillors.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, attended Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Negara, along with more than 10,000 other worshippers.

They were accompanied by two of their children, Tan Sri Mokhzani and Datuk Seri Mukhriz, and were welcomed upon arrival by the Grand Imam of Masjid Negara, Tan Sri Syaikh Ismail Muhammad, and the Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Dr Ali Hamsa.

Syaikh Ismail, in his sermon, urged Muslims to place their trust in God and strive to be a loving community.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail joined the constituents of her Pandan parliamentary constituency in performing Aidiladha prayers at Surau Al-Falah in Taman Cempaka, Pandan, near here. - Bernama