KUCHING: A total of 94 graduates of the Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia Sarawak (IKMAS) were celebrated at the 21st IKMAS Convocation Ceremony held at the Dewan Kompleks Islam Sarawak, on Tuesday.

The historic ceremony was officiated by the Sarawak Governor, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.

Of the graduates, 65 received Diplomas in Dakwah Islamiah, six received Diplomas in Tahfiz al-Quran and al-Qiraat, while 23 others received the Sijil Pengajian Islam.

Various special awards were also presented to outstanding graduates, including the Institut Kemahiran Islam Malaysia Sarawak Award, the Majlis Islam Sarawak Award, the JAKIM Director General Award and the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Award.

The ceremony began with the entrance procession of the guests of honour and graduates, the singing of the Ibu Pertiwiku, recitation of the holy verses of the Quran, and the declaration of the opening of the ceremony.

The IKMAS Convocation Ceremony became a symbol of the institution's excellence in producing skilled personnel based on Islamic knowledge, in line with efforts to strengthen human capital development in Sarawak.

Also present were the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Datuk Dr. Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Project Coordinator for the Regional Development Agencies, DBKU and Islamic Affairs), Datuk Dr. Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Director-General of the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), Dato' Dr. Sirajuddin Suhaimee, Chairman of the Sarawak Islamic Council, Datuk Misnu Taha, Mufti of Sarawak, Datu Kipli Yassin, and other guests of honour. -UKASnews