KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 — Fine weather greeted Muslims in the country as they ushered in Aidilfitri by attending prayers at mosques and surau, holding ‘open house’ and visiting relatives and friends.
The rain in isolated areas was welcomed as a divine blessing.
Many Muslims celebrated Aidilfitri in their hometowns and villages, having returned there over the past few days up to yesterday. They were also joined in the exodus by non-Muslims taking advantage of the long holiday.
Motorists found that their vehicles could devour more kilometres per litre, thanks to the drop in fuel prices over the past two weeks, with RON 95 now at RM1.91 per litre. Those hitting the road today had the advantage of benefiting from discounts in the toll rate.
The government had also helped the people celebrate Aidilfitri in a slightly bigger way. All civil servants received a special Aidilfitri allowance of RM500 earlier this month. Pensioners were not left out either; they received RM250.
The usual festive period price control scheme had enabled the prices of several essential goods to be kept at reasonable levels and more economical for the people.
In Kuala Lumpur, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, performed Aidilfitri prayers at the Federal Territory Mosque, along with over 17,000 worshippers.
Also attending the prayers at the mosque were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Others included Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa.
After the prayers, His Majesty attended an Aidilfitri feast at Istana Negara. Members of the royalty, Najib, Ahmad Zahid, Cabinet ministers and foreign diplomats also attended the reception.
In Putrajaya, thousands of people from all walks of life attended the Aidilfitri open house hosted by Najib and Cabinet ministers at Seri Perdana, the official residence of the Prime Minister.
In Pahang, the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, performed Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Sultan Ahmad Shah in Kuantan, along with over 4,000 worshippers.
Also attending the prayers were the Tengku Puan of Pahang, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah and their children as well as Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Adnan Yaakob and other state government leaders.
Tengku Abdullah gave away ‘duit raya’ (money in packets) to the people, including children, at the front of the mosque after the prayers. His Royal Highness also held open house at Istana Abdul Aziz in Indera Mahkota.
In Kedah, the Raja Muda, Tunku Sallehuddin Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, performed Aidilfitri prayers at Masjid Zahir in Alor Setar, along with about 2,000 worshippers.
Also attending the prayers were the Sultanah of Kedah, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, the Tunku Temenggong, Tan Sri Tunku Puteri Intan Safinaz Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’Adzam Shah, Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah and state executive councillors. — Bernama
