Muslims welcome Ramadan with tarawih prayers tonight

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- The excitement of welcoming the blessed month of Ramadan was felt as Muslims in Malaysia began flocking to mosques and surau to pray in congregation the first tarawih prayer for the Hijrah year 1444.

This was as soon as Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal Tan Sri Syed Danial Syed Ahmad declared that Muslims in Malaysia will begin fasting tomorrow as set by the order of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah after the consent of the Rulers.

In Kuala Lumpur, over 1,000 Muslims of all ages thronged the National Mosque, here, to perform the tarawih prayer led by Ahmad Mujahid Salleh Sani, who has been the guest imam for the congregational prayer at the mosque every Ramadan since 2017.

In Perak, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad through a statement on his Facebook page today called on Muslims to make this Ramadan a month of sacrifice and devotion and to strengthen relations among Muslims.

"Take the opportunity this Ramadan for spiritual and physical education and to sincerely help those in need. Hopefully, this Ramadan will open the doors of our hearts to become people who are always grateful and yearn for the pleasure of Allah SWT," he said.

Meanwhile a check by Bernama at the Jamek Mosque in Medan Klebang Restu, Chemor here saw some 1,500 worshippers performing the tarawih prayer tonight.

In Kelantan, Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob in a statement urged the people to make this Ramadan as the best opportunity to nurture and cultivate spiritual relationship in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood in shaping the ummah and to show love and compassion for those in need.

A Bernama check at Mukim Kenor Mosque, Kuala Krai found over 200 worshippers performing eight rakaat of tarawih followed by three rakaat of witr prayer.

Mohd Sayuti Abd Ghani, 56, when met said performing the tarawih prayer in congregation in the mosque not only helps strengthen relationships, but also enlivens the month of Ramadan with acts of worship to draw closer to Allah SWT.

Meanwhile in Johor, for residents of Batu Pahat, the only district still affected by floods, the Johor Islamic Religious Department (JAINJ) has assigned imams to help lead over 1,000 victims who are still at 10 relief centres, to perform tarawih.

Among the relief centres where imams were sent for the tarawih prayer include SK Sejagong; SK Seri Manggis; SK Seri Tanjong; Sekolah Agama (SA) Sri Medan; SA Parit Sulong; SA Seri Chomel and SJKC Hua Min.

In Pahang the Sultan Ahmad 1 State Mosque in Kuantan was among the places Muslims thronged for the prayer led by imams Muhammad 'Izzan Idris and Muhammad Hafizuddin Tajuddin.

In Sarawak, a check by Bernama at the Al Abyad Mosque in Matang Jaya, Kuching, found about 300 Muslims performing tarawih prayer.

Earlier, the process of sighting the new moon of Ramadan in Kuching took place at the Pantai Damai Resort, which involved officers from the Sarawak Mufti Department.

In Sabah, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in a brief statement wished all Muslims a blessed Ramadan and hoped that Muslims in the state would take the opportunity to increase their good deeds and reap the multifold rewards.

More than 1,000 Muslims also joined the tarawih prayer at the Kota Kinabalu City Council which began at about 8 pm led by the Grand Imam of the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, Hafiz Dr Hamzah Al-Hafiz.

-- BERNAMA