"Ummah Rabbani Negara Harmoni" is the theme of the national-level Maal Hijrah 1442H celebration which will be held at the National Mosque today.

Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) director-general Datuk Paimuzi Yahya said the theme coincided with the reality of the lives of Malaysians comprising a multi-racial, multi-lingual and multi-religious society.

"The existence of a united society in diversity is not something new in Islam. The core strength of Ummah Rabbani is quality human capital and is the backbone of most of the plans developed by the government.

"The concept of a harmonious country in this diversity is closely related to the maqasid Syariah (required by Syarak) and this matter was also stated by Imam AI-Ghazali as a maslahah (benefit)," he said in a statement yesterday.

The ceremony, which is scheduled to be held at 5 pm, will be launched by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

The Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri are scheduled to attend the ceremony.

Paimuzi said the highlight of the event would be the 'Tokoh Maal Hijrah" award which would be presented to the country's well-known professional scholar as well as a well-known international figure.

The event will be broadcast live on TV1 and TV AIhijrah

-- BERNAMA