Muslims across Malaysia enlivened Maulidur Rasul celebrations this year with parades and chanted the selawat (salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad) in observance of the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

In the capital, Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah attended the national-level celebration at the Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.

Also present were Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mujahid Yusof.

Over 8,000 participants in 100 contingents comprising public and private agencies, statutory and uniformed bodies, schools and universities took part in the parade, which began at 7.45 am.

In NEGERI SEMBILAN, theYang Dipertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir graced the state-level celebration held at the Seremban Municipal Council (MPS) field.

Also in attendance were Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin.

Ninety-three contingents with a total of 3,000 participants from state government departments, agencies, uniformed bodies and non-governmental organisations flocked to the field from 7 am for the 600-metre parade.

In PERAK, the presence of Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah and Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim enlivened the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration held at the Casuarina@Meru Convention Centre in Ipoh.

Also present was Menteri Besar Perak Ahmad Faizal Azumu.

In TERENGGANU, the Sultan of Terengganu Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and Sultanah of Terengganu Sultanah Nur Zahirah attended the state-level Maulidur Rasul 1441 Hijrah/2019 celebration at the Stadium Negeri.

The royal couple were accompanied by Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and his wife, Tuan Faizah Tuan Abdul Rahman.

A total of 1,710 participants from 30 contingents took part in this year’s parade.

In SABAH, the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah Juhar Mahiruddin and his wife, Norlidah RM Jasni joined 8,000 people in the state-level Maulidur Rasul parade from Sutera Avenue to the state mosque.

In his speech, Juhar also called for the culture of innovative thinking to be inculcated among the young generation to increase competitiveness in a bid to improve the socio-economic status of the people and the state.

In SARAWAK, the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations began with the chief minister addressing Muslims in the state, calling on them to commemorate the birthday of Prophet Muhammad and be grateful for having been blessed with the last prophet and messenger of Allah to mankind.

“Even though Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is dead, his struggle to spread knowledge of Islam, peace, justice and good will not end, as we will continue his struggle to ensure that Islam will remain relevant and respectable,” he said.

Abang Johari then joined 11,000 participants from 279 contingents in the parade which covered a total distance of 7.7km around Kuching.

In MELAKA, 93 contingents with a total of 5,100 participants participated in the 2.5km parade from Hang Tuah Stadium to Dataran Pusat Islam, Bukit Palah, led by Chief Minister Adly Zahari.

Of the total, 61 contingents were from public and private agencies, 15 contingents of various associations and 17 contingents involving schoolchildren.

In PENANG, approximately 1,000 people from various government agencies and non-governmental organisations enlivened the state-level Maulidur Rasul at Al-Ihsaniah Mosque in Simpang Ampat, Seberang Perai Selatan.

The 2km parade, which began from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Mutiara Impian to the mosque, was also participated by Penang Governor Abdul Rahman Abbas, Deputy Chief Minister (I) Ahmad Zakiyuddin Abdul Rahman, Penang Islamic Religious Council president Abdul Malik Abul Kassim and State Secretary Abdul Razak Jaafar.

In KEDAH, the state-level celebration took place at the Dewan Seri Negeri, Wisma Darul Aman in Alor Setar.

It was graced by the Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah and the Sultanah of Kedah, Sultanah Maliha Tengku Ariff.

The Raja Muda of Kedah Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin and the Raja Puan Muda Che Puan Muda Zaheeda Mohamad Ariff were also in attendance.

In SELANGOR, the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah graced the state-level Maulidur Rasul held at the Malawati Stadium.

Also in attendance were Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, the Raja Muda, Tengku Amir Shah, Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and State Secretary Mohd Amin Ahmad Ahya.

Earlier, Tengku Amir joined 3,850 participants from 77 contingents comprising members of various public and private agencies in the Maulidur Rasul parade, covering a distance of 2.3 km from the mini stadium in Section 13 to the Malawati Stadium.

In JOHOR, the Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim led a 2km parade in conjunction with the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebrations held at Masjid Jamek Sultan Ismail in Batu Pahat, today.

The parade was mounted by 2,400 participants from 60 contingents involving various government agencies, statutory bodies, private sector and non-governmental organisations in Johor.

Also present was Menteri Besar Johor Dr Sahruddin Jamal. - Bernama