PICS BY ALIF NONI & RAMIDI SUBARI
KUCHING: More than 10,000 devoted Muslims gathered at the ground of Padang Merdeka here to celebrate Maulidur Rasul 2023 yesterday.
Despite the rainy weather, participants showed remarkable dedication by arriving as early as 5.45 am.
The Bandar Kuching Indian Mosque was one of the places where devout Muslims gathered early to perform their morning prayers before heading to Padang Merdeka.
A total of 248 contingents, including representatives from various associations and government departments from Samarahan and Kuching attended the event.
Among them were the Sarawak Women and Family Department, the Department of the Premier of Sarawak, the Kuching Melanau Association, the Kuching Archery Association, committee members of the Kampung Batu Lintang Mosque, and others.
In total, there were 10,991 participants present at the ceremony.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg arrived at the ceremony location at around 7.50 am, accompanied by his wife, Puan Sri Datuk Amar Hajjah Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, and other dignitaries, including Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
The Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud with his wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Raghad Kurdi Taib arrived at the ceremony at about 8.30 am.
The ceremony commenced with the singing of state anthem and continued with remembrance chants performed by the Nasyid team on the main stage.
Distinguished guests at the celebration included Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Speaker Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar; Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri; Minister of Tourism, Creative Industries and Performing Arts Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah; along with other Sarawak Ministers.
