Muslims celebrate Aidiladha in peace, 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 mosques, villages and districts.
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 Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali attended Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Negara along with more than 10,000 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 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.
In Selangor, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin attended Aidiladha prayers with worshippers at Masjid Tengku Ampuan Jemaah in Bukit Jelutong.
Their Royal Highnesses were accompanied by the Raja Muda of Selangor Tengku Amir Shah; Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari; Economic Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali; Federal Territories Minister Khalid Abdul Samad and the Mufti of Selangor, Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid.
In Melaka, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Adly Zahari joined about 5,000 worshippers for Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Al-Azim in Bukit Palah.
Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof and Deputy Primary Industries Minister Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin also performed prayers there.
After the prayers, Mohd Khalil and the others exchanged greetings with the worshippers.
In Negeri Sembilan, Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir and Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud, performed Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Diraja Tuanku Munawir, Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah.
Their Royal Highnesses were accompanied by their sons, the Tunku Besar of Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Datuk Seri Zain Al-Abidin.
They also witnessed the sacrificial slaughter of 19 animals and visited the Royal Mausoleum where the ‘ tahlil’ prayers were said, led by the Mufti of Negeri Sembilan Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad.
In Perak, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah attended Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Sultan Idris Shah II, Jalan Panglima Bukit Gantang, Ipoh.
His Royal Highness, who was accompanied by the Raja DiHilir of Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah and Perak Menteri Besar Ahmad Faizal Azumu, exchanged greetings with worshippers.
In Penang, Yang di- Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and his wife Toh Puan Majimor Shariff performed Aidiladha prayers at the Penang State Mosque where a sacrificial slaughter of 10 cows and 10 goats was also held.
In Johor Bahru, more than 1,000 worshippers performed the Aidiladha prayers with the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, the Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, and other members of the royal family.
At Masjid India Johor Bahru, 500 packets of food were distributed to migrant Muslim workers after they had performed the Aidiladha prayers there.
The food was a donation from Sultan Ibrahim in appreciation of their service as workers and as an antidote for their being unable to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones back home in their countries. — Bernama