KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 (Bernama) -- Muslims nationwide celebrated
Aidiladha today on a moderate scale and in appreciation of sacrifice as
required by Islamic teachings.
Aidiladha is of great significance for Muslims worldwide and is
celebrated in memory of the sacrifice made by the prophets Ibrahim and
Ismail in obeying Allah.
Fine weather in the morning enabled Muslims to perform their prayers
comfortably, followed by the sacrificial offerings carried out at
mosques, villages and housing estates.
The Meteorological Department has, however, forecast isolated rain and thunderstorms in several states later in the day.
This year, Aidiladha fell on the holy day of Friday and Muslims congregated again at mosques for the Friday prayers.
Roads in the capital were mostly deserted, with many people having left for their hometowns and villages for the celebration.
Major mosques around the Klang Valley saw crowds of Muslims performing the Aidiladha prayers.
About 10,000 people, including foreigners, thronged the National
Mosque, They came to perform the Aidiladha prayers and listen to the
sermon.
The Kampung Baru Mosque had about 4,000 people for the prayers this morning.
At the Al-Amaniah Mosque, Batu Caves, about 1,000 people started
congregating in the compound as early as 7.30 am, leading to the car
park being turned into a space for prayers as well.
Other mosques also carried out community sacrificial offerings of cows.
These included the Khalid Al-Walid Mosque and Al-Iman Madrasah at the
Defence Ministry, Jalan Semarak, and Taman Sri Gombak, Phase 7,
respectively.
Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and Raja
Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Hajah Haminah joined millions of Muslims from
around the world in performing the Haj this year.
In his Aidiladha message, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak
said he hoped that the day would be celebrated in a peaceful, prosperous
and blessed manner.
He also urged Muslims to appreciate the concept of sacrifice taught by
Islam, to be willing to sacrifice time, money and one's self to attain
the acceptance of Allah.
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin called on Muslims in the
country to renew their spirit and strengthen their determination to
build true unity among the 'ummah'.
In PERLIS, Aidiladha was celebrated in fair weather with hundreds of
cows slaughtered as sacrificial offering after the morning prayers.
The state government donated 130 cows to the people while hundreds of additional livestock were sacrificed by individuals.
In KEDAH, the Zahir Mosque in Alor Setar was the main venue for most
local leaders who came to pray together, regardless of their political
inclinations.
They then proceeded to their constituencies for the sacrificial offering after the prayers.
In KELANTAN, Sultan Muhammad V performed prayers with about 5,000
people at the Muhammadi Mosque in Kota Baharu, led by the Grand Imam,
Mohamad Hanafizi Abdullah, of the Kelantan Islamic Affairs and Malay
Customs Council.
In TERENGGANU, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin performed prayers with more
than a 1,000 people at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Ladang,
Kuala Terengganu.
He was accompanied by other members of the royal family and Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said.
In PERAK, the Regent of Perak, Raja Dr Nazrin Shah, and Menteri Besar
Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir joined about 1,000 people for the
prayers at the Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Mosque at the General Operations
Force Camp in Ulu Kinta.
Raja Dr Nazrin Shah is also scheduled to officially open the Hidayatul
Ummah Mosque in Kota Lama Kiri, Kuala Kangsar, and join the congregation
there for the Friday prayers.
The state government organised annual sacrificial offering programme
'Korban Perdana' managed to collect RM1.17 million from various state
agencies and statutory bodies. The funds were used to buy livestock for
sacrifice at state and district level.
In PAHANG, the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad
Shah, and the Tengku Puan of Pahang, Tengku Azizah Aminah Maimunah
Sultan Iskandar, joined about 2,000 people who congregated at the Sultan
Haji Ahmad 1 State Mosque.
Also present were Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob, state
executive councillors and government officers. The prayers were led by
Pahang Mufti Datuk Abdul Rahman Osman.
In SELANGOR, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah performed prayers with about
20,000 people at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque. Also
present was Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim.
The mosque's Grand Imam, Ustaz Ahmad Mustafa Mohd Sidin Al-Muqri, led the prayers.
The congregation also included foreign Muslim students from the Al-Madinah International University and foreign workers.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan,
Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, joined about 500 people for
prayers at the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque in Seri Menanti.
He was accompanied by the Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Tuanku
Aishah Rohani Binti Tengku Besar Mahmud and several other members of
the royal family.
Their Majesties then attended a 'tahlil' ceremony at the Seri Menanti
Royal Mausoleum. Tuanku Muhriz also attended the sacrificial offering
ceremony at the mosque.
In MELAKA, Governor Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob joined a congregation of
about 7,000 for prayers at the Al-Azim Mosque in Melaka city. Also
present was Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.
The state-sponsored sacrificial offering of 19 cows would be held at the mosque tomorrow.
In SABAH, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Juhar Mahiruddin joined about 5,000
people for prayers at the State Mosque in Sembulan, Kota Kinabalu.
Also present were community leaders and heads of state and federal government departments.
In Kuching, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang
Barieng andf wife, Toh Puah Rokiah Abdullah performed the Aidiladha
prayers at the Masjid Jamek Kuching.
Also present were Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and
wife, Puan Sri Ragad Kurdi Taib, and other Sarawak cabinet ministers.