Maal Hijrah Celebrations Highlight Positive Change, Ummah Unity

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- The spirit of hijrah as a pathway to positive change, stronger leadership and a more united ummah was a recurring theme at Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026 celebrations held nationwide today.

Marked by spiritual programmes, including Quran recitations, religious talks and the presentation of awards, this year’s celebration emphasised the importance of quality leadership in promoting public well-being and building a stronger civilisation.

In PUTRAJAYA, Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Nazrin Shah graced the national-level Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026 celebration at Putra Mosque.

Also present at the event, themed “MADANI Dihayati, Ummah Diberkati”, were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan, together with about 5,000 attendees.

At the ceremony, Sultan Nazrin, who is also the Sultan of Perak, presented the National Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) rector Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Osman Bakar, while Moroccan Islamic jurisprudence scholar Dr Ahmad Al-Raysuni received the International Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award.

In SABAH, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman officiated the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration at Dewan Sa'adah, Wisma Majlis Ugama Islam Sabah.

Tun Musa and his wife Toh Puan Faridah Tussin were welcomed on arrival by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor and organising committee chairman Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif, who is also Sabah Local Government and Housing Minister.

Community activist Datuk Ag Sharin Alimin, also a former director of the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department, received the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award (male category), while former Sabah deputy state secretary Datuk Masnah Matsalleh was honoured in the female category.

In TERENGGANU, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar called on the people to embrace hijrah as a process of transformation that shapes civilisation, strengthens society and builds a better future.

At the celebration attended by about 1,000 people, Ahmad Samsuri presented the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award to 95-year-old Quran teacher Jusoh @ Muda Ismail, the adopted son and student of renowned Quranic scholar Tuan Guru Haji Mat Lintar. 

In KEDAH, Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah said the state should fully harness its strengths as a land rich in natural resources and fertile agricultural areas to drive progress through knowledge, technology, good governance and strong social unity.

The royal address was delivered by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin, on the Sultan’s behalf at the state-level Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026 celebration at Wisma Darul Aman.

At the event, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah presented the Kedah Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1448H Award to educational motivation expert Dr Shukri Abdullah. The Al Hana Mosque in Kuah, Langkawi and Al Fateh Mosque in Kuala Pegang, Baling were recognised as the best mosques in the urban and rural categories respectively.

In PENANG, Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib urged Muslims to strengthen their faith and deepen their religious understanding based on authentic knowledge in navigating an increasingly fast-changing world.

He said technology and digital media should be used wisely and responsibly to enhance knowledge and reinforce religious values within society.

Also present at the celebration at Dewan Seri Al-Jazari TVET MARA Balik Pulau were Tun Ramli’s wife Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Dr Mohamad Abdul Hamid and state leaders.

Attended by nearly 500 people, the event saw Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Dr Abdul Rahman Mohamed named Penang Tokoh Maal Hijrah for his contributions to education, research and innovation.

A nurse at Seberang Jaya Hospital, Nur Deena Nadzhiefa Musni, 31, who gained public attention for feeding an elderly Indian patient while on duty, received a Special Award.

Ahmad Hashim Al-Hafiz and Norhayati Sidikah Abu Bakar were also honoured with the Ikon Pendakwah Award and Ikon Keluarga Sakinah Award respectively.

In PAHANG, Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah officiated the state-level Maal Hijrah 1448H celebration at Laman Sejahtera Jelai in Sungai Koyan, Lipis.

The Sultan said the Hijrah event teaches that a society cannot be built on compassion alone, but must be founded on justice, sovereignty and the rule of law.

He said Islam encourages compassion towards those affected by hardship, displaced from their homeland, and victims of war and oppression.

“The people of this country have long shown generosity and compassion. However, such kindness should not be mistaken for weakness, nor should those receiving help make excessive demands,” he said.

Al-Sultan Abdullah expressed hope that the authorities would continue to act firmly, wisely and prudently in addressing the issue in accordance with the law, while safeguarding national sovereignty, preserving public security and upholding the rights of citizens.

At the event, he also presented the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award to former Amanah Saham Pahang (ASPA) general manager Datuk Mohd Ali Hanafiah Sh Ruji, who received a certificate of appreciation, a trophy and a mock cheque for RM10,000.

-- BERNAMA