PUTRAJAYA, Feb 20 (Bernama) -- The Grand Imam of Al-Aqsa Mosque, Sheikh Dr Ekrima Said Sabri, today agreed to lead the congregational Maghrib and Isyak prayers at the 'Ilmu MADANI' lecture event set to take place at Masjid Putra this Monday, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
Mohd Na'im said Sheikh Ekrima will deliver a lecture, which will be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. Sheikh Ekrima is on an official visit to Malaysia until Feb 27.
"This is part of the Prime Minister's aspiration to encourage Muslims to deepen their religious knowledge (by learning from)…local and international scholars," he told reporters after a courtesy visit from Sheikh Ekrima today.
Through its official social media accounts, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) announced that the 'Majlis Ilmu MADANI' will be held at the mosque starting at 6 pm.
JAKIM stated that the event is being held to welcome Sheikh Ekrima and enhance the understanding and appreciation of Islam among Muslims in the country.
Anwar initiated the lecture programme after he assumed office as Prime Minister on Nov 24, 2022.
According to Mohd Na'im, during the courtesy visit, Sheikh Ekrima expressed his appreciation for the continuous efforts and contributions of Malaysians in support of Palestinians.
"He prayed that all contributions by Malaysians under Anwar's leadership would be accepted as amal jariah (charitable deeds) by Allah SWT," he said, adding that Sheikh Ekrima was also profoundly moved by Malaysia's initiative to develop the Gaza Wakaf City Project.
"Malaysia has been given this mandate, and we will strive to invite other countries to join in supporting Gaza," he added.
On Jan 29, Anwar announced that Malaysia and Japan had agreed to expedite the reconstruction of Gaza under the Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) initiative by establishing a special fund to mobilise efforts to build schools, hospitals, and mosques.
-- BERNAMA
