The Malaysian king urged people to address social ills

By Kazi Mahmood, IOL Southeast Asia correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR, February 22 (IslamOnline.net) - Muslims in the South East Asian (SEA) region marked the beginning of the new Hijri year (Maal Hijrah) with special prayers and mass gatherings organized by mosques in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.

The new year celebrations were celebrated in Malaysia this year under the theme Negara Maju Matlamat Kita (A Developed Nation, Our Objective) and was attended by about 3,000 people and telecast live over radio and television on Sunday, February 22.

In a message marking the celebration and read on national television from Putra Jaya, the new administrative city of Malaysia, King Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail voiced concern over social ills, such as rape and incest.

"In conjunction with the Maal Hijrah celebrations this year, let us resolve together to rectify the mistakes and overcome the turmoil within ourselves, the family, society and country, especially regarding matters that can affect the future of the young generation," he said.

"These crimes, especially those involving children, are becoming rampant and a strong commitment is needed from the various parties to identify, study and find a cure for them," said the monarch.

He underlined that if left unchecked, these social ills could weaken and bring down the institution of the family and society in Malaysia.

The king stressed that Malaysia, which is endeavoring to become a fully developed nation, had a duty to address mounting crimes in society.

Rising crime rates and the reported involvement of Muslims in crimes against children and women since the beginning of 2004 have shocked many and stirred controversy.

Younger Generation

In Indonesia, the celebrations were mostly concentrated in mosques where people offered special prayers for the Muslim ummah and Indonesian to overcome ills and problems.

"We pray for the unity of the Muslims in the wake of the serious international problems the ummah is facing currently," said Jamshi Alawia, the Imam of a Jakarta mosque where people also prayed for a safe future to their country.

He told IslamOnline.net over the phone that this day mark an important date in the Muslim calendar and children, in particular, must be involved in activities celebrating the new Hijri year in order to develop better knowledge of the Islamic history.

"The young generations tend to forget the history behind the Muharram [the first month of the new Hijri year], and this is the aim of our group here, that is to spread the message to them," Imam Alawi maintained.

A "Festival Muharram" was also launched in Jakarta on Sunday with speeches from several top Muslim dignitaries and politicians, highlighting the significance of the date in Islamic history.

The festival will last until February 28 and will include arts, cultural and other Islamic related activities to promote awareness of Hijrah [Prophet Muhammad (UPUH) migration from Makkah to Madinah].

Changes

In the tiny sultanate of Brunei, Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah called on his people Saturday, February 21, to accept and bring changes that conform with an independent, just and religious Brunei.

He urged the people to not just watch changes as they unfold but to join hands in making them, citing the spirit of Hijrah that occurred 1424 years ago, reported the Borneo Post on Sunday.

Sultan Bolkiah said the spirit of Hijrah is always new because it is related to faith and efforts to uphold it.

"The spirit of those who love Islam never fades and it seems they're always  alongside the Prophet (UPUH)," he added.

Sultan Bolkiah stressed that Islam would never die irrespective of vicious attempts by some to destroy it.

"In fact, it's always new and never blurred by the passing of time".