Muslims usher in Hari Raya Haji nationwide

Far from home: Rohingya and Bangladeshi Muslims praying near Pasar Borong Selayang. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Muslims nationwide started their Hari Raya Haji celebration by converging at mosques to perform prayers before proceeding with sacrificial rituals according to Islamic teachings.

In Kuantan, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah performed their prayers at the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque.

The Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Pahang and other members of the royal family accompanied the King and Queen.

Sultan Abdullah also mingled with the crowd who lined up to meet and greet him.

The King and Tengku Hassanal later witnessed a sacrificial ritual held on the mosque grounds before leaving.

In Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad joined thousands of Muslims to perform morning prayers at the National Mosque.

He was accompanied by his wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.

Dr Mahathir wished Muslims in Malaysia and all over the world “Selamat Hari Raya Haji” and reminded the community that making sacrifices is important for Malaysians to foster better understanding among them.

“We must learn to make sacrifices, not merely with the slaughtering of animals, but also in our behaviour and efforts, ” he said.

In Selangor, Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed his prayers with the people at Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque in Shah Alam.

Also with the Sultan were Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin and the Raja Muda of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris.

In Johor, Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar performed his prayers with 2, 000 worshippers at Pasir Pelangi Mosque here.

The Sultan was accompanied by the Tunku Mahkota of Johor, Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, his other children and son-in-law Datuk Dennis Muhammad Abdullah.

The sultan and his royal entourage also mingled with the crowd to celebrate the festival at the mosque.

In Negri Sembilan, the Yang Dipertuan Besar. Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir and the Tunku Ampuan Besar, Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud performed their prayers at the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque in Seri Menanti, Kuala Pilah.

The members of the search and rescue team looking for missing Irish teenager Nora Anne Quoirin also took time off to perform their morning prayers at Masjid Kariah Pantai with 150 local residents.

In Melaka, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Adly Zahari joined about 5, 000 Muslims to pray at the Al-Azim Mosque in Bukit Palah.

In Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V prayed at the Muhammadi Mosque with a congregation of about 2, 000 people.

The Sultan was accompanied by the Tengku Mahkota of Kelantan Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, the Tengku Temenggong Tan Sri Tengku Mohamad Rizam Tengku Abdul Aziz and Mentri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.

In Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin performed his prayers with about 1, 000 Muslims at Al-Muktaffi Billah Shah Mosque in Ladang near Kuala Terengganu.

Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, as well as the Yang Dipertuan Muda of Terengganu, Tengku Muhammad Ismail and other state government leaders were at the mosque to receive him.

In Perak, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah performed his prayers at Sultan Azlan Shah Mosque in Ipoh.

Also at the mosque to perform the prayers were Raja Dihilir of Perak, Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah, state exco members and government officials.

There were about 1, 500 people at the mosque.

In Sabah, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife Toh Puan Norlidah RM Jasni performed their prayers at the State Mosque.

In Penang, the Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas joined some 4, 000 Muslims to perform their prayers at Penang State Mosque.

Eight cows were slaughtered in the mosque compound and the meat was distributed to the needy and poor.

In Sarawak, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg attended a Premier Sacrificial Ceremony organised by Sarawak Islamic Council at Dewan Hikmah.

Four cows were sacrificed and distributed to 250 underprivileged people in Samariang and around the city area

In Kedah, Muslims here celebrated the festival on a moderate scale after 500 houses were damaged in a storm on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and his wife Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff were at the Al-Aman Mosque in Alor Setar to perform their prayers.

Also joining in the prayers was Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir.

The Raja Muda of Kedah also presented contributions to the poor and the victims of the storm at Ar-Rahmah Mosque in Alor Setar.

In Perlis, the Raja Muda of Perlis Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail and the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil performed their prayers with 2, 000 worshippers at the Al-Hussien Mosque here.

After the prayers, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin and Tuanku Lailatul Shahreen witnessed the sacrificial ritual of the cows contributed by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail at the mosque compound.- Star