Day: June 17, 2026

Muslims welcome 1 Muharram by lighting mosques and suraus

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 17 -- The arrival of 1 Muharram was welcomed with full appreciation and repentance when Muslims across the country last night gathered at mosques and suraus to join in various spiritual activities in conjunction with Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026M. Among the programs held were the recitation of Yasin, prayers at the end and beginning of the Hijri year, congregational prayers, tazkirah and munajat attended by worshippers of all ages, thus marking the beginning of a new chapter in the Islamic calendar. The celebration not only commemorates the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), but also serves as a platform for self-reflection, strengthening faith and renewing resolve in an effort to increase acts of worship, as well as asking for blessings, guidance and mercy from Allah SWT. In PUTRAJAYA , more than 1,000 worshippers participated in the National Level Maal Hijrah Prayer Recitation and Maal Hijrah Advice Ceremony for the Year 1448H/2026M at the Putra Mosque here, which was also attended by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan. The program, which began at 4 pm, was filled with spiritual and worship activities including Quran recitation by famous preachers and reciters, including Ustaz Hassan Adli, Ustaz Tirmizi Ali and Ustaz Aiman ​​Ridhwan. Meanwhile in MELAKA, the state-level Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026M celebration was held at the Falihin Kampung Alai Mosque, Merlimau, which was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam and attended by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and state Education, Higher Education and Religious Affairs Exco Datuk Rahmad Mariman. At the ceremony attended by more than 500 guests, a total of 13 awards were presented to recipients, including Maal Hijrah Figure, Public Service Figure, Enforcement Award Figure and Mithali Family Figure. In SELANGOR, the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah agreed to present the Maal Hijrah 1448 Figure Award to former Chairman of the Selangor Islamic Religious Council (MAIS) Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof in conjunction with the State-Level Maal Hijrah Celebration at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque, Shah Alam. Earlier, Sultan Sharafuddin also agreed to attend the Ambang Hijrah Ceremony which began with the end-of-year prayer led by Imam Abu Dzar Adanan and the beginning-of-year prayer led by Imam Besar Datuk Muhammad Farhan Wijaya after the congregational Maghrib prayer. His Majesty then agreed to listen to a special Maal Hijrah talk delivered by Senior Lecturer of the Academy of Contemporary Islamic Studies, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Dr Mohd Hapiz Mahaiyadin, before performing the congregational Isyak prayer. In PERAK, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah agreed to attend the Perak State-Level Maal Hijrah 1448 Hijrah Summit Celebration Ceremony at the Casuarina Convention Hall, Meru Raya, here, accompanied by the Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and the Raja of Lower Perak Raja Iskandar Dzulkarnain Sultan Idris Shah. At the ceremony, which was also attended by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Sultan Nazrin agreed to present the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Award to former Perak State Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Zahidi Wan Teh and the Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq Award to the President of the Consultative Council of Malaysian Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid. His Majesty also presented the Siti Khadijah Award (Women's Figure) to Restorative Dentist Dr Farah Syazwani Mohamd Tarmizi, the Saidina Ali Award (Youth Figure) to Dental Officer Dr Muhamad Adib Mohamad Mazri, the Asnaf Icon Award to the Visually Impaired (OKU) Khairruddin Mazli, and the Special Award to the Temiar Tribe Orang Asli Othman Hamzah. Meanwhile in NEGERI SEMBILAN, the Yang Dipertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir departed for the State-Level Maal Hijrah Celebration Ceremony at the Tuanku Muhriz Mosque in Bandar Seri Jempol. Also attending were Tunku Ampuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan Tuanku Aishah Rohani Tengku Besar Mahmud and her two sons Tunku Besar Seri Menanti Tunku Ali Redhauddin and Tunku Zain Al-'Abidin. Also present was Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who was also accompanied by more than 1,000 pilgrims. Tuanku Muhriz said every leader must carry out their mandate with full integrity and always place the interests of the state and the people above all other considerations. "Attitudes and actions that are imprudent or driven by narrow interests such as power struggles do not at all reflect the characteristics of responsible leadership," his Majesty said.T Tuanku Muhriz said that only through administration based on the principles of good governance, the stability, peace and prosperity of the state can be maintained to be passed on to future generations. Therefore, His Majesty said, all parties must always preserve the stability and harmony that have long been the strength of this state, and not allow power struggles and greed to disrupt the peace and tranquility enjoyed together. The National Level Maal Hijrah Celebration 1448H/2026M will take place tomorrow at the Putra Mosque, Putrajaya and Sultan Nazrin is scheduled to attend the ceremony. -- BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, JUNE 17 — The arrival of 1 Muharram was welcomed with full appreciation and repentance when Muslims across the country last night gathered at mosques and suraus to join in various spiritual activities in conjunction with Maal Hijrah 1448H/2026M. Among the programs held were the recitation of Yasin, prayers at the end and […]

France Begin World Cup Campaign with Convincing Win Over Senegal

NEW JERSEY, June 17 — France launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their Group I opener at New York Stadium, New Jersey. Despite being pushed hard by the African side, Didier Deschamps' men showed their quality in the second half, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading the charge by scoring twice to secure all three points. Senegal looked the more threatening side during the opening period and came close to taking the lead when Nicolas Jackson struck the post. Moments later, Ismaïla Sarr squandered a golden opportunity after failing to convert Sadio Mané's low cross from close range. France eventually found the breakthrough through Mbappé, who responded positively after a controversial VAR review denied him a penalty. Bradley Barcola then doubled Les Bleus' advantage with a superb chipped finish that left the Senegal goalkeeper helpless. The Lions of Teranga reduced the deficit deep into stoppage time when rising star Ibrahim Mbaye found the net. However, any hopes of a late comeback were quickly extinguished as Mbappé struck again moments later to complete his brace and seal a comfortable 3-1 win. The match also marked a historic night for the French captain. His two goals took his international tally to 58, surpassing Olivier Giroud's previous record of 57 goals to become France's all-time leading scorer. Mbappé further cemented his place in French football history by becoming the country's highest scorer in World Cup history with 14 goals, overtaking the legendary Just Fontaine's tally of 13. The 27-year-old now stands just two goals shy of equalling Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup record of 16 goals. Although Senegal suffered defeat, Mbaye achieved a milestone of his own by becoming the youngest African player ever to score at a World Cup, finding the net at the age of 18 years and 143 days. France's victory also carried symbolic significance, erasing memories of their disastrous 2002 World Cup campaign when the defending champions suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Senegal in the tournament opener before crashing out in the group stage. Les Bleus will next face Iraq on June 22, while Senegal will look to revive their qualification hopes when they take on Norway. -- MINUTESMY

NEW JERSEY, June 17 — France launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in style with a 3-1 victory over Senegal in their Group I opener at New York Stadium, New Jersey. Despite being pushed hard by the African side, Didier Deschamps’ men showed their quality in the second half, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading […]

PM Anwar Holds Brief Meeting with Uzbekistan President During Transit in Tashkent

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, held a brief but meaningful meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a transit stop in Tashkent, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across several strategic sectors. In a statement, Anwar said the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on enhancing cooperation in trade, investment, education, the halal industry and tourism, reflecting the growing relationship between Malaysia and Uzbekistan. The Prime Minister said both leaders also discussed the importance of preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Islamic civilisation, including the scientific traditions that have produced great scholars and contributed significantly to human progress. “We also touched on efforts to strengthen cooperation in preserving and uplifting the treasures of Islamic civilisation and the scientific traditions that have given birth to great figures and contributed to the glory of human civilisation,” he said. Anwar noted that the energy sector presents significant opportunities for deeper collaboration, particularly in the gas and petroleum industries, which could help drive economic growth while supporting energy security and sustainable development objectives. He also welcomed Uzbekistan’s continued commitment to fostering closer relations with ASEAN member states and acknowledged the country’s increasingly important role in the Central Asian region. Before continuing his journey to Kazan, Russia, the Prime Minister took the opportunity to convey his best wishes to Uzbekistan’s national football team as it prepares to begin its campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Colombia. Anwar expressed hope that the friendship between Malaysia and Uzbekistan would continue to flourish beyond economic and trade interests, serving as a platform to uphold human dignity, advance knowledge and promote fairer and more inclusive development. The meeting underscored the warm and expanding ties between the two countries as they explore new avenues of cooperation for mutual benefit. -- MINUTESMY -- SOURCE: FB ANWAR IBRAHIM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, held a brief but meaningful meeting with Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a transit stop in Tashkent, where both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties across several strategic sectors. In a statement, Anwar said the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange […]