Lat presented with special honour
Cartoonist receives Tokoh Ar-Ridzuan award in conjunction with Maal Hijrah celebration
KUALA LUMPUR: Cartoonist Datuk Mohammad Nor Khalid, better known as “Lat”, was presented with the Tokoh Ar-Ridzuan award in conjunction with this year’s Maal Hijrah celebration in Perak.
The award was presented by Perak Ruler Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah at the Ipoh Convention Centre yesterday.
Lat, 67, who is known for his work on The Kampung Boy, received RM10,000, an umrah package worth RM7,000, other gifts, a certificate and a plaque.
Dar Al-Hikmah College president Prof Datuk Dr Siddiq Fadzil was conferred the National Tokoh Maal Hijrah award.
Dr Siddiq, who is also the Islamic Consultative Council panel chairman, received a cash reward of RM100,000, a medal and a certificate of appreciation from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration at the Federal Territory Mosque on Monday.
Dr Siddiq said he was deeply moved and humbled by the award.
“I feel small, but braved myself to accept it in the spirit of representing the daie (religious preachers), scientists and educators who have done good deeds without expecting any reward,” he said.
He advised the public to stay positive and accept racial differences in the country.
“The differences are not the problem. Instead, people fail to appreciate the differences. For example, a team will be stronger if it has diversity in its composition,” he said.
In Kuantan, Pahang Regent Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah opened the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque.
He joined a crowd of about 2,000 people for a religious talk by Temerloh kadi Abdul Aziz Abdul Karim and a Quran reading.
The celebration began with a procession comprising staff from government agencies, the private sector and non-governmental organisations.
In Alor Setar, the celebration was held on a moderate scale and was attended by Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.
It was held at Dewan Seri Negeri, Wisma Darul Aman, in the state capital. It began with a doa recitation, followed by a nasyid performance and religious talks.
In Penang, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas joined more than 1,000 people to celebrate the occasion at Dewan Dahlia Midtown Perda in Tasek Gelugor.
In his speech, he urged Muslims to strengthen relations among them so that Islam would be regarded highly by people of other religions.
“The flow of modernisation should not lead to fights and rifts. There should be mutual respect so that the wellbeing of the people continues to be preserved,” he said.
In Johor Baru, Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said Islam was compatible with progress and modernity.
He said certain quarters had alleged that the religion was an obstacle to development.
“Islam is not like that, as it relevant and applicable despite any kind of change,” he said at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration at Pusat Islam Iskandar.
Osman said the state government would strengthen Islamic education and human capital development as part of the Johor 2019-2030 Master Development Plan.
At the event, Mohamad Rahmat Abdullah, 50, was conferred the Anugerah Saudara Kita for his active participation in volunteerism.
He converted to Islam over 30 years ago and volunteers at a shelter for needy and homeless people.
His parents, A. Ramasamy, 75, and K. Kathyee, 73, were also present at the event.
“He has been working hard at the shelter and we are very proud of him,” Ramasamy said.