Prayers, Yasin Recital Mark Start Of Islamic Year 1447H

KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- In the calm of dusk, the prayer hall of Masjid Negara echoed with heartfelt supplications as Muslims marked the arrival of 1 Muharram 1447 Hijrah, ushering in the new Islamic year.

From as early as 6.30 pm, more than 1,000 congregants, including tahfiz students and members of the public, gathered in the mosque’s main prayer hall for the year-end and new year prayers in commemoration of the Hijrah.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM) director-general Datuk Dr Sirajuddin Suhaimee were also in attendance.

At 7.25 pm, the year-end prayer for 1446H was recited, followed by the Maghrib call to prayer and the new year prayer, both led by Masjid Negara Grand Imam Ehsan Mohd Hosni.

The programme continued after Maghrib with the recital of Surah Yasin and a special prayer seeking blessings, protection and well-being for the ummah in the year ahead.

Following Isyak prayers, a solat jenazah ghaib (funeral prayer in absentia) was performed for Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (IKIM) chairman Prof Datuk Dr Muhammad Nur Manuty, who passed away at 11.27 am today at Sultan Idris Shah Hospital, Serdang.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Mohd Na’im urged Muslims to embrace the spirit of Hijrah not merely as a historical event, but as an ongoing journey of personal and communal transformation.

He said 1 Muharram is a timely opportunity for introspection, to shed narrow thinking and negativity, and to strive towards building a more progressive and balanced society.

“May we be granted the strength and resolve to continue spreading good, developing our potential and contributing to national progress,” he said.

The National Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025M celebration will take place tomorrow at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC).

His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim and Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, the King and Queen of Malaysia, are scheduled to grace the event.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and members of the Cabinet are also expected to attend, along with more than 8,000 guests, including foreign dignitaries, as well as heads of government departments and agencies.

His Majesty will deliver a Royal Address and present the National and International Ma’al Hijrah Personality Awards.

This year’s theme, ‘Membangun Ummah MADANI’ (Developing a MADANI Ummah), emphasises the importance of drawing inspiration from the historic Hijrah to build an inclusive and progressive society, grounded in both spiritual strength and moral excellence.

-- BERNAMA