By Roshidan Rashid
1st. Muharram (Ma'al Hijrah), is the first day in Islamic or Hijri calendar, the year during which the Hijra occurred (Islamic prophet Muhammad's emigration from Mecca to Medina in the year 622A.D.). Muslims usually celebrated it on a moderate scale, usher in the eventful day by reciting Koranic verses and holding special prayers and sermons at public halls and mosques.
Annually JAKIM or Jabatan Agama Islam Malaysia (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) at national level, awarded a 'Tokoh Ma'al Hijrah' to a Muslim personality to honour their contribution to Islam.
This award giving occasion has started since 1987. These are the previous recipients
1435 (5/11/2013) Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik and Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin
The recipient for the international-level award is Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, 48, a Muslim preacher, the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF). He is a graduate in medicine and surgery from University of Bombay, Mumbai, India. Dr Zakir is renowned as a dynamic international orator on Islam and Comparative Religion. He clarifies Islamic viewpoints and clears misconceptions about Islam, using the Qur’an, authentic Hadith and other religious Scriptures as a basis, in conjunction with reason, logic and scientific facts.
Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Zainal Abidin, 69, a former minister in the prime minister's department was named as the recipient of the national-level. He who holds master's degree from the Al-Azhar University in Egypt, had served as MARA chairman, a member of parliament and senator, as well as Director-General of the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM)
Both recipients received RM100,000, a plaque, a medal and a certificate presented by Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebrations at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC)
1434 (15/11/2012) The Late Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Othman
He was religious adviser to two former prime ministers - Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Hamid was recognised for his numerous contributions to the ummah, including being a prime driver behind the push for Islamic education in the country. He was the first principal of the Islamic Teaching College.
His wife, Jamilah, 69, went on stage to receive the posthumous award from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
His family received RM100,000, a plaque, medal and certificate.
1433 (27/11/2011) Dr. Fouad Bin Abdul-Salam Bin Muhammad Al-Farisi and Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Hj. Husin
His wife, Jamilah, 69, went on stage to receive the posthumous award from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
His family received RM100,000, a plaque, medal and certificate.
1433 (27/11/2011) Dr. Fouad Bin Abdul-Salam Bin Muhammad Al-Farisi and Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr Abdul Shukor Hj. Husin
The Haj Minister of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Foad Bin Abdul-Salam Bin Muhammad Al-Farisi, 65, has been awarded International Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1433H.
Born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia in 1365 AH, 1946.
Qualifications:
* Bachelor of Law from Beirut Arab University.
* Master of Arts in International Relations from the
University of Portland / Oregon.
* Master of Arts in American governments from Duke
University / North Carolina.
* PhD in economic development and political and
administrative from Duke University / North Carolina.
Official functions:
* Lecturer, Faculty of Commerce / Department of Political
Science at the University of Riyadh.
* Assistant Professor, Faculty of Commerce / Department of
Political Science at the University of Riyadh.
* Undersecretary of the Ministry of Information Assistant
for Media Affairs.
* Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and
electricity for the industry.
* Under the Ministry of Information and Media Affairs
(from 1984 to 1995).
* Participated in the membership of boards of directors of
a large number of bodies, government institutions, such as his country in many
local communities and regional and international levels.
Chairman of the National Fatwa Council, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Abdul Shukor Husin, 69, was named as National Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1433H.
Deputy Chairman of World Fiqh Academy (OIC) and Board Member of International Shariah Research for Islamic Finance (ISRA) and Bank Negara Malaysia.
1432 (6/12/2010) Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz
Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz was named as Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1432H.
Holder of a doctorate degree in Finance and International Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, in the United States, she received RM100,000, a trophy and a certificate from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
She is the second in her family to win the award. Her father, Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid was also named as a recipient of tokoh Maal Hijrah 1418H( in 1997).
Under Zeti’s leadership, the Islamic financial system had been prominently visible in Malaysia and contributed to a competitive, diverse, comprehensive and inclusive financial system.
In a decade, Zeti had also made Malaysia the world’s largest sukuk market, increased Islamic banking assets by three-fold to 21 per cent, and enabled over 100 domestic and international Islamic financial institutions operating in Malaysia.
At the international level, Zeti also contributed to the global acceptance of Islamic finance, including by leading an international team in the preparation of a report on Financial Stability and Islamic Finance, as well as chairing the Islamic Financial Services Board, an international agency for setting prudent monetary policy for Islamic financial institutions worldwide.
Holder of a doctorate degree in Finance and International Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, in the United States, she received RM100,000, a trophy and a certificate from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebration at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
She is the second in her family to win the award. Her father, Royal Professor Ungku Abdul Aziz Ungku Abdul Hamid was also named as a recipient of tokoh Maal Hijrah 1418H( in 1997).
Under Zeti’s leadership, the Islamic financial system had been prominently visible in Malaysia and contributed to a competitive, diverse, comprehensive and inclusive financial system.
In a decade, Zeti had also made Malaysia the world’s largest sukuk market, increased Islamic banking assets by three-fold to 21 per cent, and enabled over 100 domestic and international Islamic financial institutions operating in Malaysia.
At the international level, Zeti also contributed to the global acceptance of Islamic finance, including by leading an international team in the preparation of a report on Financial Stability and Islamic Finance, as well as chairing the Islamic Financial Services Board, an international agency for setting prudent monetary policy for Islamic financial institutions worldwide.
1431 (18/12/2009) - Dr Yusuf Abdullah Al-Qaradawi and Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Yusof Mohamed Noor
Both recipients received RM100,000, including a cash prize of RM10,000 from the Ubaidi Foundation, a plaque, a medal and a certificate presented by Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah at the national-level Maal Hijrah celebrations at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC).
International Union for Muslim Scholars (IUMS) president, Dr Yusuf Abdullah Al-Qaradawi, of Egypt, has been selected as one of the winners of the Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1431H award for his contribution as a contemporary intellectual scholar respected worldwide. Dr Al-Qaradawi, 83, who is also director of Qatar University's Seerah and Sunnah Centre was aware of the needs and problems of Muslims in other countries, which led to his appointment as chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research and member of Oxford University's Islamic Studies Centre. He studied at the Al-Azhar University and obtained a PhD in the field of fiqh al-Zakat from the Faculty of Usul al Deen in 1973.
Another recipient of the Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1431H award was Felda Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Mohamed Yusof Mohamed Noor. Dr Mohamed Yusof, 68, was chosen for his contribution in improving the status of the Muslim community, especially through the field of education and politics. Dr Mohamed Yusof, hailing from Besut, Terengganu is a Usuluddin graduate from Al-Azhar University, and also has a PhD in Philosophy from the Kaherah University of Egypt. Dr Mohamed Yusof also contributes his expertise as a member of Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim)'s board of directors, as Tabung Haji advisory council chairman and as chairman of the Malaysian Islamic Education Board. He was previously a Deputy Minister and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department and was once a lecturer and Dean at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's (UKM) Islamic Studies Faculty.
1430 (29/12/2008) - Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria & Dr Wahbah Az Zuhaily
Perak mufti, Datuk Seri Harussani Zakaria, 69, and Islamic scholar from Syria, Dr Wahbah Mustafa Az Zuhaily, were elected as the Tokoh Maal Hijrah Kebangsaan 1430H/2008M. Award was presented by Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'Adzam Shah in a ceremony at the Putrajaya International Convention Center (PICC) on the 29th December 2008. Both the men received a cash prize of RM100,000, including RM20,000 from the Ubaidi Foundation, a medal and a plaque. The ceremony graced with the presence of 2,500 people constitute from public and private sector representative. Among the guest of honour were the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and wife, Datin Seri Jeanne Abdullah and also Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Datuk Seri Harussani was chosen both for his position as Perak Mufti and his contributions in Islamic institutions and as well as being chairman of the the Licensing and Control Board for Al-Quran Text Printing. His other contributions to the nation is in his interpretation which always advancing Al-Quran and Hadis in all of his action and word for the sake of Islam, race and country. His voice still resound saying about Islamic thaught through speeches at the mosques, religion talks, religious institution, knowledge stages, with its strength of argument and evidence.
The 76-year-old Az Zuhaily, was picked based on his contributions to the world of Islam through his writings which have been widely used as references by Malaysian universities, besides being references for economists in the banking field. Az Zuhaily, who is an expert in Islamic law and legislation, has written more than 100 books and encyclopedias on religion, is also an expert with the International Islamic Fiqh Academy. Most of his work has been translated into other languages through out the world. Among them which is famous in Malaysia are Kitab Tafsir Al-Munir Fi Al-Aqidah Wa Al-Syariah Wa Al-Minhaj and Kitab Fiqh Perundangan Islam.
1429 (10/1/2008) -Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor Al-Bukhary
It was awarded to Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Shah bin Syed Nor Al-Bukhary 57, the chairman of Yayasan AlBukhary (AlBukhary Foundation), the no. 7th. richest man in Malaysia ,no. 27th in Southeast Asia and no. 754th of the world's billionaires according to Forbes.
A lot of contributions to Islamic development in Malaysia has been done by AlBukhary Foundation including construction of Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia, medical center, community center, orphanage, mosque,shopping complex and was currently building the Al-Bukhary International University in Alor Star. The Foundation has also contributed to various humanitarian projects abroad for refugees and victims of natural disasters and sponsoring poor pilgrims to the haj.
As a token of appreciation, he received a total of RM80,000.00, plaque and certificate from the organiser (government and private sector) delivered by Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di Pertuan Agong (the King) at thePutrajaya International Convention Center .
1428 (20/1/2007) - No Figures - (Tan Sri Dato’ Muhammad Ali Hashim and Yang Amat Arif Datuk Sheikh Ghazali Abdul Rahman have received an appreciation award)
1427 (31/1/2006) - No Figures - (Prof. Dr. Mohd Yusof bin Haji Othman and Dato’ Haji Mustapha Ma bin Abdullah have received an appreciation award)
1426 (10/2/2005) - Dr. Muhammad Uthman El-Muhammady
1425 (22/2/2004) - Dato' Dr. Abdul Halim bin Haji Ismail
1424 (5/3/2003) - Dato' Mursyid Di Raja Dato' Paduka Syeikh Abdul Majid bin Muhammad Noor
1423 (15/3/2002)- Dato' Haji Hassan bin Azhari
1422 (26/3/2001) - Datuk Dr. Ismail bin Ibrahim
1421 (6/4/2000) - Tan Sri Ainuddin bin Abdul Wahid
1420 (17/4/1999) - Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Sarji bin Abdul Hamid
1419 - No Awards -
1418 (9/5/1997) - Prof. Di Raja Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid
1417 - No Awards -
1416 (31/5/1995) - Tun Dato' Seri Dr. Haji Hamdan bin Sheikh Mohammad Tahir Jalaluddin
1415 (10/6/1994) - Haji Munawir Sjadzali
1414 (21/6/1993) - Raja Tun Mohar bin Raja Badiozaman
1413 - No Awards -
1412 (13/7/1991) - Tan Sri Dato' Mohd Asri bin Haji Muda
1411 (24/7/1990) - Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Abd Al-Ra'uf
1410 (4/8/1989) - Tan Sri Dato' S.O.K. Ubaidulla bin Kadir Basha
1409 (14/8/1988) - Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Ahmad bin Mohamed Ibrahim
1408 (26/8/1987) - Al-Syeikh Muhammad Idris bin Abdul Rauf al-Marbawi
As a token of appreciation, he received a total of RM80,000.00, plaque and certificate from the organiser (government and private sector) delivered by Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di Pertuan Agong (the King) at the
1428 (20/1/2007) - No Figures - (Tan Sri Dato’ Muhammad Ali Hashim and Yang Amat Arif Datuk Sheikh Ghazali Abdul Rahman have received an appreciation award)
1427 (31/1/2006) - No Figures - (Prof. Dr. Mohd Yusof bin Haji Othman and Dato’ Haji Mustapha Ma bin Abdullah have received an appreciation award)
1426 (10/2/2005) - Dr. Muhammad Uthman El-Muhammady
SHEIKH Dr Uthman El-Muhammady, one of Malaysia's foremost
Islamic scholars and a distinguished fellow of the International Institute of
Islamic Thought and Civilisation (Istac), International Islamic University
Malaysia.
He was an esteemed scholar, who had guided many on the
lawful and unlawful rulings of the religion with wisdom, and showed the way to
truth and moderation.
The illustrious scholar was conferred an honorary Doctor of
Letters by Universiti Sains Malaysia in 1995 and a Doctor of Philosophy by
Universiti Utara Malaysia in 2005. He was a member of the board of trustees of
Yayasan Karyawan and a former adjunct professor of Islamic Studies of
Universiti Petronas in Tronoh in 2010.
He devoted much time to the community, conducting
scripture studies at mosques in Pasir Mas and Kota Baru, apart from giving
lectures. His research interests were in the aspects of Islamic
sciences and Western philosophy, current thoughts on Sunni faith and Islamic
civilisation. He had presented seminar papers, both local and abroad, on
Islamic faith, spirituality, morality, culture and philosophy. He had also
translated books from Arabic and English. He, who had great love for the sciences of prophetic
narration, was considered one of the top Muhaddithin (hadith master) in
Malaysia.
1425 (22/2/2004) - Dato' Dr. Abdul Halim bin Haji Ismail
1424 (5/3/2003) - Dato' Mursyid Di Raja Dato' Paduka Syeikh Abdul Majid bin Muhammad Noor
1423 (15/3/2002)- Dato' Haji Hassan bin Azhari
1422 (26/3/2001) - Datuk Dr. Ismail bin Ibrahim
1421 (6/4/2000) - Tan Sri Ainuddin bin Abdul Wahid
1420 (17/4/1999) - Tan Sri Dato' Seri Dr. Ahmad Sarji bin Abdul Hamid
1419 - No Awards -
1418 (9/5/1997) - Prof. Di Raja Ungku Abdul Aziz bin Ungku Abdul Hamid
1417 - No Awards -
1416 (31/5/1995) - Tun Dato' Seri Dr. Haji Hamdan bin Sheikh Mohammad Tahir Jalaluddin
1415 (10/6/1994) - Haji Munawir Sjadzali
1414 (21/6/1993) - Raja Tun Mohar bin Raja Badiozaman
1413 - No Awards -
1412 (13/7/1991) - Tan Sri Dato' Mohd Asri bin Haji Muda
1411 (24/7/1990) - Tan Sri Prof. Dr. Ahmad Muhammad Abd Al-Ra'uf
1410 (4/8/1989) - Tan Sri Dato' S.O.K. Ubaidulla bin Kadir Basha
1409 (14/8/1988) - Prof. Tan Sri Datuk Ahmad bin Mohamed Ibrahim
1408 (26/8/1987) - Al-Syeikh Muhammad Idris bin Abdul Rauf al-Marbawi