PROPHET`S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION INTRODUCES NEW AWARD

PUTRAJAYA, March 2 (Bernama) -- The annual national-level Maulidur Rasul
1430H/2009 (Prophet's birthday) celebration next Monday will see for the first
time a recipient of the "Perdana" Award.

Unlike the five recipients of this year's "Tokoh Maulidur Rasul" Award who
will receive cash of RM22,000 (US$537) each, the recipient for the "Perdana"
Award will receive RM50,000 (US$13, 413) in cash, a plaque, a certificate and
accompanying trophy.

This year's celebration will also see a mass procession by 100,000
participants including 430 high-powered motorcycles and 1,000 motorcycles below
250cc.

"What makes this year's procession special is that it will begin
simultaneously from eight mosques in Kuala Lumpur and all of the contingents
will eventually meet at Dataran Merdeka," Malaysian Islamic Development
Department (Jakim) Director-General, Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abdul Aziz told a
press conference, here Monday.

The celebration will be launched by the King Tuanku Mizan
Zainal Abidin.

-- BERNAMA