SARIKEI: One hundred and twenty-nine contingents comprising 5,276 participants yesterday took part in a procession at the sports complex here to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday. Clad in traditional ethnic costumes, colourful baju kurung and baju Melayu as well as corporate uniforms, the participants turned up at the venue as early as 7.30am. The state-level celebration was graced by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Also present were Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg, Abang Johari’s wife Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nasar and State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani. In his speech, the Chief Minister said that the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday enabled the society to learn two things.
“Firstly, we learn how Prophet Muhammad governed the Islamic state of Madinah based on ‘Piagam Madinah’. From that, we can learn how to govern a country with a multi-racial society.” “Secondly, we learn about the social system where Muslims and non-Muslims can live peacefully and benefit positively from the development of a country,” he added.