Kota Kinabalu: Head of State Tun Musa Aman extended wishes to all Muslims in observing the fasting month of Ramadan.
Muslims began fasting on Sunday, as announced by the Keeper of the Rulers’ Seal.
In a statement, Musa said fasting is the third pillar of Islam and provides profound lessons for Muslims.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});He said one of the great wisdoms behind fasting is to develop empathy for those who are less fortunate.
In this regard, he urged all Muslims to fully embrace the teachings of Islam, which emphasise compassion and the practice of helping those in need.
“It serves as a platform for Muslims to reflect on the plight and well-being of the poor,” he said.
A thanksgiving and prayer ceremony was earlier held at the Istana Seri Kinabalu in conjunction with the sighting of the new moon.
Musa also attended and performed the Maghrib and Isyak prayers in congregation, in addition to reciting Surah Yasin and joining in tahlil prayers with some 120 guests.
The event was led by the Chief Imam of the State Mosque, Suaidi Kuanting.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Shahelmy Yahya, Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong as well as several Assistant Ministers.
Mufti Sohibus Samahah Bongsu Aziz Jaafar read out the findings of the moon-sighting committee, which conducted observations at the Al-Biruni Observatory, Tanjung Dumpil, Putatan, to Musa.
