SIBU: About 1,000 people attended a special prayer ceremony to mark the end of the year 1439 Hijrah and the beginning of 1440 Hijrah held at An-Nur Mosque here on Monday.

The prayer ceremony held in conjunction with the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration was attended by the Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud and his wife Toh Puan Ragad Kurdi Taib, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg and wife Datin Patinggi Juma’ani Tun Tuanku Bujang and the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Amar Mohamad Asfia Awang Nassar.

Among others who joined the prayer ceremony were Assistant Minister of Education and Technological Research Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Tanjung Manis MP Abdul Yusuf Wahab, Daro assemblyman Safiee Ahmad, Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) chairman Datu Misnu Taha and An-Nur Mosque management committee chairman Latiff Coupon.

The Maal Hijrah celebration was organised by MIS, Sarawak Islamic Religious Department (JAIS) and Sibu Resident Office.

The ceremony started at 6pm with recitation of prayer to mark the end of 1439 Hijrah and followed by Maghrib prayer.

Those present also performed Isyak prayer together prior to a prayer recital to mark the start of 1440 Hijrah according to the Islamic calendar.