28-06-2025
Struggle requires sacrifice: Chief Minister
Published on: Saturday, June 28, 2025
Published on: Sat, Jun 28, 2025 Text Size: Musa (third left), presenting the Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025M Male Figure Award to Datuk Amir Kahar Mustapha as Hajiji looks on. Kota Kinabalu: Muslims are urged to embrace the spirit of Hijrah (migration) as a foundation for strengthening unity and determination in facing increasingly complex new challenges in today's demanding world, particularly in the face of global instability and international geopolitical turmoil. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the crises engulfing several regions in the Middle East – including Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and Syria – are not merely regional issues but have significant implications on global political stability and the wellbeing of the entire ummah. 'Ongoing wars and the Zionist Israeli military attacks on Islamic territories not only violate international law but also blatantly infringe upon fundamental human rights. 'This is no minor issue. It has the potential to reshape history and global geopolitics,' he said at the State-level Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025M Celebration Assembly held at Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Friday. Hajiji stressed that Muslims cannot afford to remain passive in the face of new challenges such as Islamophobia, ongoing humanitarian crises and the worsening global economic pressure driven by the Western-dominated 'New World Order' agenda. 'We are facing challenges to the very civilisation of the ummah which demand unity, unwavering faith, inner strength and collective commitment. We cannot afford to be weak, divided or merely stand by as spectators,' he said. He said the spirit of Hijrah exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad SAW must serve as a guide in building a Madani society – one rooted in faith, knowledge, ethics, justice and humanity. He said the development of a Madani Ummah cannot succeed without a shift in mindset and a willingness to undergo a value-based transformation – from weakness to strength, from backwardness to progress and from division to unity. 'Hijrah is a struggle. And every struggle requires sacrifice – whether in attitude, time, energy, finances or principles. This is the spirit that must be embraced as we embark on the new Hijrah year of 1447,' he said. Hajiji also called on the people to embrace Hijrah through the pursuit of knowledge and technology, cultivating a culture of innovation, strengthening unity and enhancing charitable deeds for the collective welfare of the ummah. He urged the people to strengthen their resolve and intentions for the new Hijrah year by adopting change as a cultural foundation for personal, family, community and State success. 'The Maal Hijrah celebration is not merely about commemorating history but must serve as a catalyst for transformation and renewal towards excellence. Let us all embody the spirit of Hijrah and work together to develop the ummah in an inclusive and holistic way,' he said. Veteran politician Datuk Datu Amir Kahar Datu Mustapha who was active from 1986 to 2008 and once served as Deputy Chief Minister as well as State Agriculture and Fisheries Minister was selected as the male Maal Hijrah Figure. He received RM20,000 in cash, a trophy and a certificate. For the female Maal Hijrah Figure, the award went to Datuk Seri Norsuadah Basah, a former newsreader, announcer, and producer active from 1973 to 1978. She also received RM20,000, a trophy and a certificate. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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