JOHOR BARU: At 67 and in his retirement years, religious teacher Abu Bakar Watak is still devoted to giving religious talks and Islamic knowledge courses.
Currently a freelance religious speaker, Pontian-born Abu Bakar was named the Johor Tokoh Maal Hijrah 2016 at the state-level Maal Hijrah celebration held at Pusat Islam Iskandar in Jalan Masjid Abu Bakar today.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin presented Abu Bakar with a long olive-green tunic and songkok, which he helped Abu Bakar put on.
Khaled also presented Abu Bakar with the Johor Tokoh Maal Hijrah award plaque, a RM10,000 mock-cheque and a certificate of recognition.
Also present was Johor Islamic Religious Committee chairman Abd Mutalip Abd Rahim.
Some 2,000 people attended the celebration, including Abu Bakar's wife, Azlin Abu Bakar, 48, and their five children.
Abu Bakar retired in 2006 as a senior ranking officer at the Dakwah Unit of the Johor Religious Department. He had served there for over 22 years.
Yet, when others go for holidays or spend their time at home during retirement, Abu Bakar chose the opposite. He continues to engage with congregations at mosques, giving talks on a voluntary basis.
"I find the mosque to be the perfect place for soul-searching and drawing you back to your faith.
"I hope Muslims will not merely adore the beautiful craftsmanship of mosque structures, but make it a point to enliven the mosque by engaging in religious activities which actually help to sooth one's spirit," he said.