MORE PILGRIMS DUE TO BETTER TIES
THE number of Malaysian pilgrims performing haj this year is 42,200, more than the 30,200 announced earlier. Tabung Haji chairman Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim says the additional slots were made available following the prime minister’s request to th
MUSLIMS in the country celebrated Aidiladha in moderation but yet in a lively atmosphere with gratitude and the spirit of sacrifice.
The celebrations began in the morning with Muslims gathering at mosques for the Aidiladha prayers.
In Kota Baru, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, attended Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Al-Sultan Ismail Petra in Kubang Kerian.
The king, who wore a light-blue robe, arrived at the mosque at 9.05am, accompanied by Tengku Temenggong of Kelantan, Tengku Rizam Tengku Aziz.
More than 5,000 residents joined the king in prayers, which were led by Abdul Bari Abdullah, while the sermon was delivered by Imam Sabri Abdullah.
Present were Kelantan police chief Datuk Hassanudin Hassan and Kubang Kerian Umno division chief Datuk Muhammad Abdul Ghani.
After prayers, the imam delivered a sermon which focused on the importance of sacrifice.
In Negri Sembilan, the Yang diPertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir and the Tunku Ampuan Besar Tengku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud performed prayers at the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque in Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah.
After the prayers, Tuanku Muhriz visited the royal mausoleum there for a tahlil session led by Negri Sembilan Mufti Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad.
In Ipoh, thousands joined Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah for prayers at the Sultan Azlan Shah Mosque in Jalan Raja Musa Mahadi.
Sultan Nazrin was accompanied by Raja Muda Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja Di-Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir also attended the prayers, which were led by mosque imam Syed Mohd Muzzaffar Syed Azlan.
Present were Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria, State Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan and state executive councillors.
Aidiladha is an auspicious day where Muslims around the world commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim and Prophet Ismail in obeying God’s command.
In Melaka , Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron joined 10,000 worshippers for prayers at Masjid AlAzim in Bukit Palah. The prayers were led by the Grand Imam, Datuk Mohammad Hashim, who also delivered the sermon.
Idris and several state executive councillors witnessed the sacrificial slaughter of animals at several mosques.
In Kedah , the Sultanah of Kedah Tuanku Hajah Haminah attended prayers at Masjid Zahir in Alor Star, along with about 2,000 worshippers.
The congregation exchanged greetings with Tuanku Hajah Haminah after the prayers. Her royal highness distributed packets of money to children.
In Johor Baru, the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar performed Aidiladha prayers along with over 5,000 worshippers at Masjid Jamek Pasir Pelangi.
The sultan was accompanied by Tunku Mahkota of Johor Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim and other children. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, State Secretary Datuk Azmi Rohani and state executive councillors were also present.
In Sabah, Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M. Jasni, performed prayers with over 5,000 worshippers at the Kota Kinabalu State Mosque.
Thousands also performed prayers at Masjid Bandaraya Kota Kinabalu.
In Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed Aidiladha prayers with about 2,000 worshippers at Masjid Tengku Ampuan Jemaah in Bukit Jelutong.
The sultan was accompanied by Tengku Permaisuri Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin; Raja Muda Tengku Amir, Selangor Mufti Datuk Mohd Tamyes Abd Wahid, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and state executive councillors.
In Pahang, the Regent of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and his two sons, Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri‘ayatuddin Shah and Tengku Ahmad Muadzam Shah joined about 2,000 worshippers at Masjid Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Indera Mahkota.
The mosque’s Grand Imam Muhammad Amin Abdul Mutalib led the prayers while Pahang Mufti Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Osman gave the sermon.
In Sarawak , Chief Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg joined 5,000 Muslims from around Kuching for Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Jamek Negeri Sarawak, Petra Jaya here. He then attended a tahlil ceremony and visited the cemetery at the Kuching Division mosque.
In Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Yang di-Pertuan Muda Terengganu Tengku Muhammad Ismail performed their Aidiladha prayers at Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah in Kuala Terengganu. Present was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman.
Page 1 pic: Worshippers pray as they wait to move to Muzdalifah in Arafat, near Mecca, on Thursday. EPA PIC