Thousands take part in Maulidur Rasul parades

KUALA LUMPUR: Admiration and compassion were visible among hundreds of thousands of Muslims from all walks of life who participated in Maulidur Rasul parades nationwide yesterday.

The celebration is held annually to commemorate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, who was born on the 12th Rabiulawal, according to the Muslim calendar, in the year 570AD in Makkah.

Themed Negara Rahmah Ummah Sejahtera (Blessed Nation, Prosperous Ummah), this year’s national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration was held at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil here.

More than 8,000 people from 100 contingents representing government departments and agencies, as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs), higher learning institutions and schools took part in this year’s procession.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin AlMustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the celebration.

Joining the crowd were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa and his deputy, Fuziah Salleh.

In SHAH ALAM, Raja Muda Selangor Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah led a 3km-long procession involving more than 3,800 people during the state-level celebration. The procession kicked off at the Shah Alam Mini Stadium and concluded at the Malawati Stadium.

Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah and his consort, Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, attended the celebration. Selangor Menteri Besar

Amirudin Shari and state secretary Datuk Mohd Amin Ahmad Ahya were present.

In IPOH, the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration was attended by Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah and his consort, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim.

Present during the celebration, which was attended by more than 500 people at the Casuarina@Meru Convention Centre here, was Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

In GEORGE TOWN, more than 1,000 people from government departments, NGOs and mosque committees participated in the state-level procession. The 2km-long parade started at SMK Mutiara Impian and ended at Al-Ihsaniah Mosque in Simpang Ampat, Seberang Perai Selatan.

Penang Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas attended the celebration. He was accompanied by Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, state secretary Datuk Abdul Razak Jaafar and Penang Islamic Religious Council chairman Datuk Abdul Malik Abul Kassim.

In ALOR STAR, the state-level celebration was held at Wisma Darul Aman here. Sultan of Kedah Al-Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and his consort, Sultanah of Kedah Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff, Raja Muda Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and Raja Puan Muda Kedah Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff attended the celebration.

In SEREMBAN, Negri Sembilan Yang di-Pertuan Besar Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir graced the state-level celebration held at the Seremban Municipal Council field here.

Also in attendance were Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin. A total of 93 contingents involving 3,000 participants took park in the parade.

In MELAKA, Chief Minister Adly Zahari led 93 contingents comprising 5,100 people in the state-level parade from the Hang Tuah Stadium to the compound of the Islamic Centre, Bukit Palah, which is a distance of 2.5km.

In KUALA TERENGGANU, Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and his consort, Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah graced the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration, which was held at the state stadium. They were accompanied by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and his wife, Datin Seri Tuan Faizah Tuan Ab Rahman.

More than 1,700 people from 30 contingents took part in the celebration this year.

In KUCHING, Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Abang Openg led the state-level Maulidur Rasul procession involving 11,000 people in 279 contingents.

The 7.7km-long parade from several towns ended at Padang Merdeka.

“As Muslims, we must continue to uphold Prophet Muhammad’s legacy of peace, justice and kindness,” said Abang Johari in his speech prior to the procession, which was joined by people of other faiths.

In KOTA KINABALU, more than 8,000 people participated in the parade held in conjunction with the state-level celebration.

Gracing the event were Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife, Toh Puan Norlidah R.M Jasni.