MALAYSIAN SULTAN SETS FRIDAY AS HOLIDAY

Johor Bahru , 2 Rabbi’ul Awal 1435/3 January 2014 ( MINA ) – The Johor State of Malaysia ‘s decision to make Friday as a public holiday to facilitate Muslims to perform Friday prayers, starts to be applied on Friday, January 3.

Sultan of Johor , Ibrahim bin Sultan Iskandar decided it after receiving many advices from various parties to restore the rule which had been changed since 15 years ago, Local media, Bubllews reported on Thursday as quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

“On Friday, all government offices must be closed to give Muslims to perform their worship. But, it is not required for private offices,” stated Sultan Ibrahim.

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There are now four states in Malaysia which set Friday as an official holiday. Three other states are Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.

A TV station Channel News Asia based in Singapore quoted the the statement of Sultan of Johor that Friday is the most glorious day of the week, Muslims must honor the day by maximizing the worship.”

“The Blessing of Friday starts from the night before, Muslims usually do tadarus by reciting surah Yasin, and in the mid-day, they perform Friday prayers. Parents should also teach their children to follow them in worship, ” said Sultan whose ancestors came from Bugis, Indonesian Province of Sulawesi.

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Sultan concerns of the phenomenon, that Muslims come and leave from Masjid in Friday prayer in a hurry due to the short break time which was given by the office where they work. “From Now, they have more time to enjoy performing their prayer in Friday,”added the Sultan.

(T/PO4/E1).

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency ( MINA )