KING, MALAY RULERS JOIN MUSLIMS PERFORMING AIDILFITRI PRAYERS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Bernama) -- Muslims across the country welcomed the first day of Syawal with gratitude and joy, gathering at mosques and surau nationwide, to perform Aidilfitri prayers.

From the heart of the capital to remote areas, Muslims gathered as early as 7 am, filling mosques and surau with the echoes of takbir, before performing the prayers and listening to the Aidilfitri sermon.

In the capital, the King and Queen of Malaysia, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, performed the Aidilfitri prayers at the Federal Territory Mosque.

This marks Sultan Ibrahim’s first Aidilfitri prayers at the mosque, since taking the oath of office as the 17th King of Malaysia on Jan 31 last year.

In PERLIS, the Raja of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Jamalullail, joined more than 2,000 congregants in performing the Aidilfitri prayers at the Dataran Istiadat Istana Arau. The prayers were led by the state Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIPs) chief executive officer, Mohd Nazim Mohd Noor.

Also in attendance were the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, and Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Hajah Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, along with their two children and Perlis Menteri Besar, Mohd Shukri Ramli.

In KEDAH, the Sultan of Kedah, Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, and Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff, performed the Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Zahir. The prayers, which began at 9 am, were led by the mosque’s Grand Imam, Sheikh Mohd Naim Ahmad.

Among the more than 2,000 congregants in attendance were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, along with members of the state executive councillors.

In PERAK, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, performed the Aidilfitri prayers alongside 2,000 congregants, at Masjid Ubudiah in Kuala Kangsar.

After the prayers, His Royal Highness visited the Royal Mausoleum, where he paid respects to his late father, Sultan Azlan Muhibuddin Shah, and sprinkled rose water on the grave.

In SELANGOR, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, joined more than 3,000 congregants in performing the Aidilfitri prayers, at Masjid Tengku Ampuan Jemaah in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.

In PAHANG, the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, performed Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Negeri Sultan Ahmad 1, in Kuantan.

In TERENGGANU, the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Sultanah Nur Zahirah performed the Aidilfitri prayers, alongside more than 2,000 congregants, at Masjid Al-Muktafi Billah Shah.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir arrived at Masjid Diraja Tuanku Munawir, Kuala Pilah, at 8.30 am, to perform the Aidilfitri prayers with over 1,500 worshippers.

In JOHOR, the Regent of Johor, Tunku Mahkota Ismail, performed the Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Negeri Sultan Abu Bakar, led by Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) Imam Makhadzir Abdan, together with more than 2,000 congregants.

In PENANG, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Penang, Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak performed the Aidilfitri prayers, alongside 7,000 worshippers, at the Masjid Negeri. After the prayers, he distributed duit raya donations from Yayasan Amal Tuan Yang Terutama to the children in attendance.

In MELAKA, residents of Padang Temu marked the first day of Syawal in a unique way, by performing the Aidilfitri prayers in an open area, on the grounds of Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Padang Temu. Chairman of the Padang Temu Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK), Mohd Nazri Aziz, said this was the first time such an open-air Aidilfitri prayer was held in the state, in line with the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad. It was attended by nearly 2,000 congregants.

In PUTRAJAYA, thousands of Muslims began arriving at Masjid Putra as early as 7.30 am for the Aidilfitri prayers, led by the mosque’s Grand Imam, Dr Muhamad Zakuwa Rodzali, who also delivered a sermon titled ‘Berdamai Dalam Dakapan Syawal’. 

In SABAH, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, and his wife Toh Puan Faridah Tussin, joined 7,000 worshippers in performing the Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Negeri, in Kota Kinabalu.

In SARAWAK, Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, and Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg performed the Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Jamek in Petra Jaya.

-- BERNAMA