KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 8 — The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah, today performed Aidilfitri prayers at the National Mosque where 20,000 people had gathered to join the King in ushering in the first day of Syawal.
Tuanku Abdul Halim and the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, arrived at the mosque at 8.30am.
They were accompanied by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor; Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and his wife Puan Sri Noorainee Abdul Rahman and several Cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps.
Tuanku Abdul Halim and the congregation recited the takbir raya and performed the Aidilfitri prayers led by the Grand Imam of the National Mosque, Tan Sri Syaikh Ismail Muhammad. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom delivered the sermon.
The King later mingled with the congregation and many people took the opportunity to exchange greetings with him.
Earlier, the King and the Queen gave an audience in conjunction with Aidilfitri to Najib, Muhyiddin and their wives and Cabinet ministers at Istana Negara.
Their Majesties then hosted breakfast for the guests.
Meanwhile, Jamil Khir, in his sermon at the National Mosque, called on Muslims to consolidate unity, maintain tolerance in their endeavours and keep an open mind on decisions they have agreed to.
“Remember, extreme emotions can be a catalyst for community imbalance and weaken socio-political stability,” he said, adding that the call for unity was in accordance with the advice of Prophet Muhammad. — Bernama
