KOTA KINABALU, Aug 12 – Sabah will hold a state-wide tahlil and prayer ceremony for the late Zara Qairina Mahathir on Aug 14, announced Sabah Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif.
The ceremony, to be conducted simultaneously at all mosques and surau across the state, follows instructions from Dr Mohd Arifin to the Sabah Islamic Religious Affairs Department (JHEAINS) to coordinate the prayers.
“The state government will host the official ceremony on Thursday (Aug 14) after Maghrib prayers at the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, led by the State Mufti,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
Zara Qairina’s remains were reburied at 1:15am on Monday at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim Cemetery in Mesapol, Sipitang, following an eight-hour post-mortem at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu.
Dr Mohd Arifin urged the public to join in prayers, seeking forgiveness and mercy for the deceased.
A candlelight vigil will also be held on Tuesday to mourn Zara Qairina and call on society to reject bullying through action, safeguarding children from harm.
The “Guardian of the Tender” (Gerakan Lindungi Tunas) aims to unite community strength, deliver a clear message of zero tolerance for bullying, and demand accountability for relevant systems and enforcement mechanisms.
Organiser Lim Kat Chung stated children are tender like newly sprouted seedlings; they need careful nurturing, not harm. Society must protect their growth with the clearest stance and firmest action.
Local Hakka singer Tianlong, who is one of the co-founders, emphasised that bullying is not just a school issue; it concerns life and conscience.
“We can no longer remain indifferent and silent toward this problem,” he said.
The candlelight vigil will be held from 4pm to 9pm at Jalan Haji Saman, Lorong Bank 3 (opposite Suria Sabah), Kota Kinabalu.
Meanwhile, police have beefed up their presence at the Tanjung Ubi Muslim cemetery following the widespread media attention over the death of Zara Qairina.
Sipitang district police chief Superintendent Awang Anak Suand said villagers were also asked to help maintain security at the cemetery.
“We set up cordons around 100 metres from the burial site and conducted regular police patrols in the area, with villagers acting as caretakers inside the grounds,” he said.
Awang urged the public, especially content creators, to respect the privacy of villagers living near the cemetery.
