ID :
38013
Tue, 12/30/2008 - 14:16
Auther :

MUSLIMS CELEBRATE MA'AL HIJRAH ON SOLEMN NOTE

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- Muslims in the country ushered in the year 1430 of the Hijrah calendar Monday on a solemn note in the wake of the demise of southern state of Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Ja'afar Almarhum Tuanku Abdul Rahman and the Israeli air raids in Gaza which has claimed the lives of 300 Palestinians.

Negeri Sembilan did not hold the Ma'al Hijrah celebration Monday as the
state has cancelled or postponed all government official functions scheduled for
a week from last Saturday when Tuanku Ja'afar, the Yang Dipertuan Besar (Ruler),
passed away.

Israel has carried out air strikes on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip over the
last three days.

The national-level Ma'al Hijrah celebration was held in Putrajaya and was
attended by 2,500 people comprising employees from the government and private
sectors and members of religious organisations.

The celebration, held at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, was
launched by the Deputy Malaysian King, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, who is
the Sultan of northern state of Kedah.

Meanwhile in Kuala Pilah, the state of Negeri Sembilan's capital city, Tunku
Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir has been proclaimed the 11th Yang Dipertuan
Besar (Ruler) of Negeri Sembilan.

The ceremony, which was telecast live via national broadcasting station
Radio Television Malaysia (RTM), was held at the Throne Room, Istana Besar Seri
Menanti, near here Monday.
-- BERNAMA

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