KUCHING: The Sarawak-level Maulidur Rasul Parade and Celebration, held with much festivity in the city today, crowned contingents from the Royal Malaysia Police Training Centre (PULAPOL) Kuching, the Sarawak Department of Agriculture, and the Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) as among the main winners of the annual banner and procession competition.
The best contingent competition was organised to encourage participants to do their best, with stiff rivalry witnessed as each team showcased creative banners, neat uniforms, and strong discipline throughout the march.
In the security and enforcement agencies category, PULAPOL Kuching emerged champion after displaying a disciplined performance with an overall score of 83.5 per cent, defeating the Royal Malaysian Customs Department Kuching (78 per cent) and Puncak Borneo Prison (77 per cent), which placed second and third respectively.
For the state and federal departments category, the Sarawak Department of Agriculture emerged as the winner with the highest score of 88.5 per cent, followed by the Sarawak Forestry Department (87 per cent) and the Sarawak Premier’s Department (84.5 per cent).
DBKU proved its excellence in the statutory bodies category after defeating other contingents with 90 per cent, followed by the Land Custody and Development Authority (84 per cent) and the Kuching South City Council (82 per cent).
Meanwhile, Tadika Brainy Bunch Kuching also drew attention when it topped the private and institutional category with 88.5 per cent, while the Sarawak State Mosque Welfare Trust Board (82 per cent) and Telekom Malaysia Bhd (75 per cent) secured second and third places.
Darul Ikhlas Mosque from Kampung Sindang won the mosque and surau category with 86 per cent, followed by Datuk Patinggi Haji Abdul Rahman Ya’akub Mosque (85 per cent) and Darussalam Surau from Kampung Tabuan (84 per cent).
Harakah Islamiah (HIKMAH) was crowned champion in the non-governmental organisation category, while Amanah Khairat Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak (76 per cent) and Surau Klinik Kesihatan Jalan Masjid (75 per cent) placed second and third.
In the hadrah and selawat group category, the Hadrah Group of Gabungan Seni Warisan defeated competitors with 71 per cent, putting Paluan Mesra Hadrah Group of Pantai Damai second (58 per cent) and Hadrah Group of Darul Islam Mosque third (27 per cent).
The higher learning institutions category saw Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch emerge champion with 82 per cent, followed by Kuching Community College (78 per cent) and the Kuching Training Institute of the Ministry of Health Malaysia (77 per cent).
Kuching Vocational College dominated the secondary school category with 81 per cent, followed closely by Kuching North Science Secondary School (79 per cent) and SMK Matang Jaya (78 per cent).
SK Muara Tebas won the primary school category after scoring 86 per cent, followed by Ma’had Tahfiz Tun Abdul Rahman Ya’kub (85.5 per cent) and SK Gita Kuching (83 per cent).
The celebration, held in the state capital yesterday, marked its own history with the participation of nearly 9,600 participants, representing 209 contingents from various departments, agencies, educational institutions, statutory bodies, mosques, suraus, and community organisations.
With the theme ‘Ummah Maju Makmur’ (Progressive and Prosperous Ummah), this gathering not only highlighted the love of Muslims for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) but also reflected the spirit of brotherhood and unity among communities of diverse backgrounds.
At the same time, it successfully showcased that this celebration is not merely a commemoration of Prophet Muhammad SAW, but also a platform for uniting the ummah towards a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious state.
