SHAH ALAM, 14 Nov: Former Syarie Chief Judge of Selangor, Datuk Johdi Toha was chosen as a Selangor State level Maal Hijrah 1434H/2012M Leader (Tokoh Maal Hijrah Peringkat Negeri Selangor 1434H/2012M).
Johdi’s election was a tribute for 37 years of excellent service.
He expressed his happiness and heartfelt thanks upon receiving the honour which was given to him after he celebrated his 66th birthday.
“I honestly did not expect to receive such a huge decoration for my small service to the Selangor State.”
“I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Sultan of Selangor for this award.”
“I would like to thank the Selangor State Government and JAIS for organising all of this and in being awarded the title of ‘Tokoh Maal Hijrah 1434H’,” said Johdi who will be retiring at the end of this month.
Johdi who is currently serving at the Syariah Judiciary Department Malaysia (JKSM), started his service as an Islamic Affairs Officer at the Selangor Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) in 1975.
He also was a Qadi when he served with JAIS until 1991.
Previously, he had published several books on law and religion which are now being used as reference and guides.
He took home a cash prize of RM10,000, from the Selangor State government, RM10, 000 from the Selangor Zakat Board (LZM), a certificate of Appreciation, a Maal Hijrah trophy, and a set of clothing and an award for his Umrah pilgrimage.
Apart from Johdi, there were 4 other award recipients that were given appreciation for their services to the development of Islam and the Muslim community in Salangor.
The Selangor state branch of the Muslim Welfare Organisation Malaysia (PERKIM)was chosen to receive the Organisation/Department of Voluntary Missions of Selangor 1432H/29012M Award.
The prize consisted of RM5, 000, contribution from the Selangor State Government, RM5,000 from the Selangor Zakat Board (LZM), certificate of Appreciation and religious book vouchers worth RM50, 000.
PERKIM was established in 1964 and is very active in activities such as seminars, Halaqah (religious study circle), carnivals, inaugural religious lectures, Al-Quran study courses, health service clinics amongst others.
In the 48 years of its establishment, PERKIM has managed to open 24 branches including those in Higher Learning Institutes (IPT) across Selangor.
The ‘Tokoh Saudara Kita’ award was given to Professor Taufiq Yap Yun Hin who managed to obtain ‘Hidayah nur Islam’ title on the 26th of November 1983 when he was 15 years old.
Harun Hassan, on the other hand, was chosen as ‘Tokoh Aktivis Masyarakat’ (People’s Activist Leader) while Mohd Yaakob Zakaria and Rusnah Jamil were nominated ‘Tokoh Keluarga Mithali’(Exemplary Family Leaders).
All three of them received a cash prize of RM 5,000 contributed by the Selangor State Government, RM 5,000 from the Selangor Zakat Board (LZM), certificates of Appreciation, Maal Hijrah trophies, a set of clothing and an award for the Umrah pilgrimage.
The Maal Hijrah Selangor Division 1434H ceremony was officiated by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Alhaj Ibni Almarhum Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Alhaj.
This was held at the State Mosque. This year’s theme was ‘Wasatiyyah Tonggak Kesatuan Ummah’ or loosely translated as ‘Wasatiyyah the Pillars of a United Ummah’.
Also present was Selangor Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim, Selangor Chief Secretaryn Selangor, Datuk Khusrin Munawi and Head of the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department(JAIS), Datuk Marzuki Hussin.
The opening ceremony began with the 1433H year-end prayers and the 1434H new year prayers by the Imam of the State Mosque, Sheikh Abdulkarim Al-Fatani who also lead the congregational evening prayers ( solat Maghrib).
A brief poem (Tazkirah) was performed at the opening ceremony by Ustaz Muhamad Abdullah, a special guest to the ceremony before ending with congregational Isyak prayers.