KUALA LUMPUR: Former Institute of Islamic Understanding Malaysia (Ikim) director-general Datuk Dr Abdul Monir Yaacob has been named the national-level Tokoh Ma’al Hijrah.
He received this award in recognition of his contributions to the Malaysian Muslim community.
Abdul Monir, 77, gained recognition for presenting a working paper for Prof Tan Sri Ahmad Ibrahim at Harvard University in 1997.
He also served as a commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam). He informed Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail about Muslim prisoners who were unable to perform their daily prayers because they were given short pants as their attire.
Asked about the current political climate, Abdul Monir said Malaysians should find ways to stay united despite divisive statements from certain politicians.
“As long as some politicians spread hate and negativity about others, the country will always be divided,” he told reporters during the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (July 19).
“We should not bring up sensitive issues like race, religion, and royalty. Instead, we should find ways to stay united and work together,” he added.
Abdul Monir also encouraged lifelong learning, emphasizing that the world is an endless field of knowledge for everyone to understand and appreciate.
“To avoid complacency, we need a life filled with challenges. Therefore, we should never stop making an effort in everything that we do,” he said.
Meanwhile, the International Tokoh Maal Hijrah award was given to Grand Mufti Al-Allamah Sheikh Abu Bakr Ahmad for being an influential religious figure for the Sunni Muslim community in India and abroad.
Sheikh Abu Bakr, 92, serves as the general secretary of the All-India Muslim Scholars Association, one of the largest organizations of Islamic scholars in the country.
He is also the founder of Islamic University Jamia Markaz, the largest education center in Asia, providing education to students in 130 institutions in India and other countries.
Both Abdul Monir and Sheikh Abu Bakr received the award from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, along with several senior ministers, were also present at the ceremony.
This year’s Maal Hijrah national celebration carries the theme of “Perpaduan Teras Malaysia Madani” (Unity is the Core of Malaysia Madani).
Credit: The Star : News Feed
