Livelier Edi-al-fitr In Malaysia, First In Three Years Without Special Sop
KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Muslims in Malaysia celebrated a livelier 1 Syawal Saturday with mosques and surau nationwide filled with congregants performing Aidilfitri ( Eid-al-Fitr) prayers which also marks the first time in three years it is being celebrated without special standard operating procedures (SOP) being enforced.
In the federal capital of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian King Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and his consort Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah performed Aidilfitri prayers at the National Mosque which was also attended by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Their Majesties later hosted a Hari Raya Aidilfitri gathering at National Palace here, which was attended by foreign envoys, including from Singapore, Indonesia, the United States, Turkiye and Brunei, and around 2,000 people consisting of civil servants, community leaders and the Orang Asli (indigenous) community.
Last year, Aidilfitri was celebrated in the transition to the endemic phase which saw the SOP being relaxed.
Meanwhile, the heads of states or Sultans also joined thousands of congregants in performing the Aidilfitri prayers.
The Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, participated in the prayers at the Tengku Ampuan Jemaah Mosque in Bukit Jelutong, while the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, and the Crown Prince of Kelantan, Dr Tengku Muhammad Faiz Petra, joined the congregants at the Al-Ismaili Mosque in Bandar Baru Pasir Pekan, Tumpat.
In Terengganu state, the Sultan of Terengganu, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, and Sultanah Nur Zahirah also participated in the Aidilfitri prayers at the Al-Muktafi Billah Shah Mosque in Ladang, Kuala Terengganu.
Amid reports on the rising COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, the congregants who attended the prayers in these states took precautions such as wearing face masks and bringing their own mats as recommended by the Ministry of Health.
The heads of states' participation in the prayers demonstrated a message of solidarity and unity.
In addition, several Chief Ministers are scheduled to host "open house" events for the Malaysian public on the occasion of Aidilfitri. These events provide an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the occasion, albeit with precautions and following health guidelines.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his Aidilfitri wishes to Anwar and the people of Malaysia and expressed confidence in the continued friendly relations between India and Malaysia.
-- BERNAMA
