By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: Muslims are urged to embrace the spirit of hijrah (migration) as a foundation for strengthening unity and determination to face increasingly complex modern-day challenges, especially global instability and international geopolitical turmoil.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the conflicts affecting several regions in the Middle East including Gaza, Iran, Lebanon and Syria are not merely regional issues but have far-reaching implications on global political stability and the wellbeing of the global Muslim community.
“The ongoing wars and the Zionist Israeli military attacks on Islamic territories are not only in violation of international law, but also constitute a blatant breach of human rights.
“This is not a trivial issue. It has the potential to reshape global history and geopolitics,” he said during the State-level Maal Hijrah 1447H/2025M celebration at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) yesterday.
Head of State Tun Musa Aman and his wife, Toh Puan Faridah Tussin attended the event.
Hajiji said Muslims must not remain passive in the face of new threats such as Islamophobia, humanitarian crises, and worsening global economic pressures driven by the agenda of the Western-dominated “New World Order.”
“We are facing challenges to the civilisation of the ummah, which demand unity, unwavering faith, inner strength, and collective determination. We cannot afford to be weak, divided, or merely onlookers,” he said.
He added that the spirit of hijrah embodied by the Prophet Muhammad SAW should serve as a guiding principle in building a Madani society one that is rooted in faith, knowledge, ethics, justice, and humanity.
According to him, building a Madani ummah cannot be achieved without a shift in attitude and a willingness to undergo a migration of values from weakness to strength, from backwardness to progress, from division to unity.
“Hijrah is a struggle. And every struggle demands sacrifice whether in terms of attitude, time, energy, money, 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 upon the people to migrate towards mastering knowledge and technology, embracing innovation, and strengthening unity and charitable efforts for the holistic wellbeing of the ummah.
He further urged the public to reaffirm their determination and resolution in this new hijrah year by making change a cultural foundation for success whether for the individual, family, society, or the state.
“The Maal Hijrah celebration is not merely a remembrance of history, but must serve as a catalyst for transformation and renewal towards excellence. Let us embrace the hijrah spirit and advance inclusive and holistic ummah development together,” he said.
