GSF: ALL MOSQUES, SURAU UNDER JAKIM, JAWI TO HOLD SOLAT HAJAT

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- All mosques and surau under the purview of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) and the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Department (JAWI) have been instructed to hold solat hajat (prayer of need) and recite Qunut Nazilah (a supplication for protection during times of calamity) for the safety of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) activists.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar, in a statement, said this follows Israel’s interception of the GSF humanitarian mission to Gaza.

He said the prayers will be performed after the Maghrib prayer tonight and after the Friday prayer tomorrow, and that all mosques and Friday surau in the Federal Territories will also deliver a special Friday sermon on the Palestinian issue.

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“I recommend that all mosques and Friday surau under the respective state religious departments also take similar steps.

“Let us all pray for the safety and protection of the Global Sumud Flotilla team, especially the Malaysians involved, and for the well-being of the Palestinian people,” he said.

The GSF, carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza, was reportedly intercepted by Israel in international waters yesterday.

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As of 7.50 am Malaysian time, 12 Malaysians had been detained and five others were reported to have lost contact with the Sumud Nusantara Command Centre (SNCC) after their ships were intercepted.

Meanwhile, Penang Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid, in a statement, said the state government has instructed all mosques and surau in Penang to hold the solat hajat after tonight’s Maghrib prayers and tomorrow’s Friday prayers.

He also recommended that Qunut Nazilah be recited in Friday prayers tomorrow and in the five daily congregational prayers to express concern for the plight of Muslims in Palestine.

In Negeri Sembilan, the State Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) has issued a letter directing all mosques and surau in the state to perform solat hajat and recite Qunut Nazilah after tomorrow’s Friday prayers.

JHEAINS director Mohd Asri Abdullah said the prayers will be held for the safety and well-being of all crew members, particularly Malaysians participating in the GSF mission.

In Kedah, State Education, Religion, Communication and Information Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Azam Abd Samat said all mosques in the state have been instructed to hold the solat hajat after Friday prayers tomorrow to pray for the safety of GSF volunteers.

He also urged mosques to continue the recitation of Qunut Nazilah during all obligatory prayers until Palestine achieves freedom and independence.

In JOHOR, state Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Mohd Fared Mohd Khalid said the 287th Full Meeting of the Johor Islamic Religious Council decided that every mosque and surau in Johor would hold special prayers (solat hajat) for the safety and success of the GSF mission.

In TERENGGANU, more than 500 mosques throughout the state will hold special prayers after Friday prayers tomorrow for the safety of GSF mission participants.

State Information, Da’wah and Syariah Empowerment Committee chairman Dr Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi said the Terengganu Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAT) had issued an official letter on the matter today.

In addition, he said various programmes would be held in Terengganu to deliver the message of solidarity and urge the Zionist regime to stop the persecution of Palestinians in Gaza, including a boat rally scheduled on Oct 10.

In KELANTAN, the state government urged all people in the state to pray for the wellbeing of all GSF detainees as well as volunteers involved in the humanitarian mission to Gaza.

Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Mohd Nassuruddin Daud said so far, a total of 497 GSF volunteers from 46 countries were involved in the mission, with Malaysia being among the Islamic countries sending the largest number of Sumud activists, including several from Kelantan.

“Let us all pray together that all detainees, especially Malaysians, are safe and protected,” he said in a post on his official Facebook page today.

Meanwhile, Kelantan Islamic Development, Da’wah, Information and Regional Relations Committee chairman Mohd Asri Mat Daud said the state government called on the people to hold special prayers (Solat Hajat) and Qunut Nazilah for the safety of the GSF volunteers who were reported to have been detained by Israel earlier today.

Accordingly, the state government mobilised the entire Kelantan Da’wah Halaqat Division to organise Solat Hajat and Qunut Nazilah in each of the 45 state constituencies.

Bernama reported that as of 3.39 pm today, a total of 15 Malaysian volunteers participating in the GSF humanitarian mission had been detained by Israeli forces.

The GSF humanitarian mission involves activists from over 40 countries, including Malaysia, sailing to Gaza as a symbol of solidarity and an effort to break the Israeli blockade while carrying essential aid supplies for Palestinians affected by the continued attacks of the Zionist regime.

-- BERNAMA