SIBU – A vibrant display of unity and cultural harmony marked the Maulidur Rasul 1447H/2025M celebration in Sibu on Saturday, as thousands gathered for a grand procession that welcomed participants from diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds.
Held at Dataran Tun Tuanku Bujang, the event began at 6:30 am and featured 71 contingents with over 6,000 participants, including representatives from schools, government agencies, uniformed bodies, mosques, associations, and private companies.
Themed “Ummah Maju Makmur” (Progressive and Prosperous Ummah), the celebration aimed to foster communal ties while commemorating the birth of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation and Talent Development, Datuk Dr Annuar Rapa’ee, expressed appreciation for the growing involvement of non-Muslim communities.
“Alhamdulillah, I see more non-Muslims participating in the Maulidur Rasul procession this time. This shows a very good unity among the multi-religious population in Sibu town.” Dr Annuar Rapa’ee said during the event.
The 3.2-kilometre procession, which looped through major roads including Jalan Bujang Suntong and Jalan Kampung Nyabor, was led by Dr Annuar alongside Sibu Division Resident Abang Mohamad Porkan Abang Budiman, Temenggong Dato Sri Wan Hamid Edruce Tuanku Mohamad, and Temenggong Stanley Geramong Bandar, among other dignitaries.
To further enliven the occasion, a series of competitions were held across seven categories. In the secondary school division, SMK Methodist Sibu clinched first place, followed by SMK Sungai Merah and SMK Bukit Assek.
SK Agama MIS Sibu dominated the primary school category, also winning Best Overall, while SK Abang Ali took home the Largest Contingent award.
Among uniformed teams, Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) emerged victorious, with the Fire and Rescue Department and Customs Department following.
The Sibu Division Health Department led the government agency category, while Masjid An-Nur topped the mosque/surau group.
In the associations and clubs segment, PERKIM Sibu Branch secured first place, and Sanyan Group triumphed in the private sector category. Banner competitions also saw UTS, SK Abang Ali, and Sanyan Group winning their respective divisions.
The celebration, supported by the Malaysian Armed Forces and local authorities, was praised for its smooth execution and inclusive spirit.
Organisers hope to see even broader participation in future editions, reinforcing Sibu’s reputation as a model of multicultural harmony.