Abdul Hadi Awang facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Berhormat Tan Sri Dato' Seri Tuan Guru Abdul Hadi Awang PSM SSMT MP
عبدالهادي أواڠ‎
Abdul Hadi in 2021
11th Menteri Besar of Terengganu
In office 2 December 1999 – 25 March 2004
Monarch	Mizan Zainal Abidin
Preceded by	Wan Mokhtar Ahmad
Succeeded by	Idris Jusoh
Constituency	Ru Rendang
8th Leader of the Opposition
In office 9 September 2002 – 2 March 2004
Monarch	Syed Sirajuddin
Prime Minister	Mahathir Mohamad (2002–2003) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (2003–2004)
Preceded by	Fadzil Noor
Succeeded by	Lim Kit Siang
Constituency	Marang
7th President of the Malaysian Islamic Party
Incumbent
Assumed office 23 July 2002
Deputy	Hassan Shukri (2003–2005) Nasharudin Mat Isa (2005–2011) Mohamad Sabu (2011–2015) Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (since 2015)
Spiritual Leader	Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat (until 2015) Haron Din (2015–2016) Hashim Jasin (since 2016)
Preceded by	Fadzil Noor
Member of the Malaysian Parliament for Marang
Incumbent
Assumed office 8 March 2008
Preceded by	Abdul Rahman Bakar (BN–UMNO)
Majority	2,747 (2008) 5,124 (2013) 21,954 (2018) 41,729 (2022)
In office 21 October 1990 – 21 March 2004
Preceded by	Abdul Rahman Bakar (BN–UMNO)
Succeeded by	Abdul Rahman Bakar (BN–UMNO)
Majority	161 (1990) 882 (1995) 12,700 (1999)
Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly for Ru Rendang
In office 3 August 1986 – 9 May 2018
Preceded by	New constituency
Succeeded by	Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (PAS)
Majority	531 (1986) 853 (1990) 1,394 (1995) 3,843 (1999) 1,435 (2004) 2,686 (2008) 2,819 (2013)
Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly for Marang
In office 22 April 1982 – 3 August 1986
Preceded by	Tengku Zahid Musa (BN-UMNO)
Succeeded by	Constituency abolished
Majority	133 (1982)
Other Positions
2020–2022	Special Envoy of Malaysia to the Middle East
Faction represented in Dewan Rakyat
1990–2004	Malaysian Islamic Party
2008–2020	Malaysian Islamic Party
2020–	Perikatan Nasional
Faction represented in the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly
1982–2018	Malaysian Islamic Party
Personal details
Born	Abdul Hadi bin Awang (1947-10-20) 20 October 1947 (age 77) Marang, Terengganu, Malayan Union (now Malaysia)
Citizenship	Malaysia
Political party	Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)
Other political affiliations	Alliance (1971–1973) Barisan Nasional (BN) (1974–1978) Angkatan Perpaduan Ummah (APU) (1990–1996) Barisan Alternatif (BA) (1998–2004) Pakatan Rakyat (PR) (2008–2015) Gagasan Sejahtera (GS) (2016–2020) Perikatan Nasional (PN) (since 2020)
Spouses	Zainab Awang Ngah Norzita Taat
Relations	Zaharudin Muhammad (Son-in-law) Mohd Akmal Kamaruddin (Son-in-law) Mohd Shukri Ramli (Affinal)
Children	14 (including Muhammad Khalil)
Parents	Awang Mohamad Abd Rahman (died 1976) Aminah Yusuf (deceased)
Alma mater	Islamic University of Madinah (BA) Al-Azhar University (MA)
Occupation	Politician
Profession	Religious teacher

Abdul Hadi bin Awang (Jawi: عبدالهادي بن اواڠ; born 20 October 1947) is a Malaysian politician and religious teacher. He has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marang since October 1990. He is also the 7th President of the Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS), an Islamic political party, since July 2002. PAS is part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) group of parties.

Before this, he was the Leader of the Opposition from September 2002 to March 2004. He also served as the 11th Menteri Besar of Terengganu (like a chief minister for a state) from December 1999 to March 2004. He was a Member of the Terengganu State Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Ru Rendang from 1986 until 2018.

Hadi studied at local schools before going to the Islamic University of Madinah (1969–1973) and later Al-Azhar University (1974–1976). When he came back to Malaysia, he joined a youth movement called Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) in 1977. A year later, he joined PAS and quickly moved up in the party. He became the Deputy President of PAS in 1989. After the President, Fadzil Noor, passed away in 2002, Abdul Hadi became the President of PAS. He has been the longest-serving President in the party's history.

Early Life and Family

Abdul Hadi was born on 20 October 1947, in Kampung Rusila, Marang, Terengganu. He was the fifth of nine children. His parents were Haji Awang Mohamad bin Abd Rahman and Hajjah Aminah Yusuf. Both of his parents have passed away.

Education Journey

Abdul Hadi Awang started his early education with his father in 1955. He then went to Rusila National School. For his secondary education, he attended Marang Religious School and later Sultan Zainal Abidin Religious Secondary School in Kuala Terengganu. He also learned about religion, Arabic, and politics from his father.

He continued his studies at the Islamic University of Madinah in Saudi Arabia from 1969 to 1973. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in Islamic Law (Shariah). After that, he went to Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, from 1974 to 1976. He completed his master's degree in Political Science (Siyasah Syar'iyyah).

Early Career Steps

Community Work

After finishing his studies and returning home in 1976, his father passed away. Abdul Hadi decided to continue his father's role. He became a khatib, which means he delivered sermons every Friday morning.

Working with Groups

From 1977 to 1978, he worked as an officer for the Terengganu Islamic Foundation. At the same time, he was the chief of Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) in Terengganu.

In 1978, he started teaching at Maahad Al-Ikhwan (Institut Berakan). This was a private school set up by young PAS members in Kuala Terengganu.

In 1982, when ABIM's president, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, joined another political party, Abdul Hadi joined PAS. Other ABIM leaders also joined PAS with him.

Political Journey

Starting in Politics

Abdul Hadi became active in politics in 1964 while he was still in high school. He was chosen as a branch secretary for PAS in his village, Rusila, Marang.

In 1976, he became the chief of PAS Youth in Terengganu. He was also part of the Central PAS Youth Council. In 1977, he was elected to the Central PAS Working Committee. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming acting vice president in 1978 and then confirmed in 1980. In 1989, he was elected PAS Deputy President.

After the death of President Fadzil Noor in 2003, Abdul Hadi became the acting president of PAS. He was officially made PAS president in 2005. In 2015, he faced a challenge for the presidency but won with a large number of votes.

Becoming Well-Known

Abdul Hadi first ran in an election in 1978 for the Marang state area, representing PAS. He lost by a small number of votes. In the 1982 General Election, he ran again for Marang and won. He also ran for the Dungun Parliament seat but lost.

In 1986, he kept his seat in Ru Rendang (the new name for the Marang state seat). He has held this seat ever since. However, for the Marang parliamentary seat, he lost in 1986 but won it in 1990 and in later elections, except for the 2004 General Election.

After PAS won in Terengganu in November 1999, he was appointed as the Menteri Besar of Terengganu. He held this position until March 2004. During this time, he was also the Member of Parliament for Marang. From 2003 to 2004, he was also the Federal Opposition Leader.

Menteri Besar of Terengganu

First Steps as Menteri Besar

Abdul Hadi Awang became the 11th Menteri Besar of Terengganu on 2 December 1999, when he was 52 years old. The ceremony took place at Istana Maziah, Kuala Terengganu.

He took over from Tan Sri Dato' Seri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad. PAS had won 28 out of 32 state seats in Terengganu in the 10th general elections. The party also won seven out of eight parliamentary seats.

Achievements as Menteri Besar

During his time as the Menteri Besar of Terengganu, Abdul Hadi Awang achieved several things. This was despite challenges like not receiving petroleum royalty funds.

Some of his achievements include:

• Improving education by strengthening formal and informal schools.
• Increasing the collection of zakat (religious funds) from 2000 to 2004. The total collected was RM122.4 million, much higher than in previous years.
• Making land reform easier by reducing the land charge premium from 20% to 10%. He also helped settle many land dispute cases each year.
• Bringing more openness to logging activities. This increased the premium collected from logging.
• Helping to lower the poverty rate in the state from 17.3% to 14%.
• Introducing a Five Working Days policy in 1999, which the national government later adopted.
• Introducing 90 days of maternity leave and seven days of leave for fathers.
• Removing fees for pedicab permits and small traders.
• Abolishing toll collection at the Sultan Mahmud Bridge.
• Bringing back Islamic Law into the state constitution. This included new laws based on the Al-Quran and As-Sunnah.

International Work

As a Student Overseas

Abdul Hadi started his international involvement while studying in Madinah. He became the Head of Malaysian Students at the Islamic University of Madinah. He was also in charge of the Confederation of Southeast Asian Students in Medina.

In Egypt, he became the secretary of the Syariah Section and the Law of the Federation of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Representing Malaysia's Islamic Movement

As a senior leader of PAS, Abdul Hadi has been active on the world stage. He worked with other Islamic groups to help the global Muslim community.

He was part of a committee in Jordan that worked on issues related to Palestine. He supported Hamas and urged the Malaysian Government to recognize Hamas as a legal government. He even tried to lead a group of PAS members and NGOs into Gaza City, but they were stopped.

He was also involved with several international Islamic organizations. He attended many international meetings and seminars. For example, he spoke at the International Seminar on Islamic Unity about problems in Bosnia-Herzegovina. He also gave a speech at the International Islamic Revival Conference in Tehran in 2011.

In 2013, he represented Malaysia's Islamic movement at the 22nd International Muslim Community Congress in Istanbul, Turkey. Many important Islamic leaders from around the world attended this congress.

In 2014, he was appointed as the Deputy President of the World Muslim Ulama Union.

Personal Life

Abdul Hadi Awang married Hajah Zainab binti Awang Ngah in 1976. He later married Dr. Norzita Taat in 1991. He has 14 children in total: 11 from his first wife and three from his second wife.

His oldest son, Muhammad Khalil Abdul Hadi, studied at Al-Eman University in Yemen. He used to be the Chief of PAS Dewan Pemuda (Youth Council).

Health Update

On 1 July 2023, Abdul Hadi was admitted to the hospital for health treatment. His son, Muhammad Khalil, asked people to pray for his father's health. An aide said that Abdul Hadi was in stable condition. On 2 July 2023, the Deputy Menteri Besar of Kelantan said that Abdul Hadi had moved from the Cardiac Care Unit to a regular ward because his condition had improved. Visitors were not allowed so he could rest and recover.

International Recognition

Abdul Hadi Awang has been recognized as one of the world's 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition came from The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Jordan. He was listed in the category of Preachers & Spiritual Guides in The Muslim 500: The World's 500 Most Influential Muslims 2016 edition.

Honours and Awards

Honours from Malaysia

•  Malaysia :
  • Commander of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (PSM) – This award gives him the title Tan Sri (2021).
•  Terengganu :
  • Member Grand Companion of the Order of Sultan Mahmud I of Terengganu (SSMT) – This award gives him the title Dato' Seri (2001).

Special Awards

• On 15 April 2011, he received the 'Alim Rabbani' award from Yala Islamic University in Thailand. He was the first person from outside Thailand to get this award.
• On 26 September 2014, he was chosen as the Terengganu Tani Icon 2014. This was at a carnival for farmers, raiders, and fishermen in Terengganu.
• On 16 May 2015, he received the "Murabbi Ummah Tokoh" Award. This award recognized him as a leader and educator for the Muslim community.
• On 1 September 2019, the Sultan of Terengganu gave him the 'Tokoh Maal Hijrah Terengganu' award. This was to celebrate the Islamic New Year 1441.

Books Written About Him

• Jamhuri Badiuzzaman, Haji Abdul Hadi Awang : Hamba Allah Pemimpin Ummah, Pustaka Bunda, 1984.
• Mohd Nasir Awang, Terengganu Lepasi Pantang - Kuasa Yang Menjerat?, Rangkaian Minda Publishing, Julai 2001
• Riduan Mohamad Nor, Abdul Hadi Awang : Murabbi, Ideolouge, Pemimpin. Jundi Resources, 2011
• Mohamed Jusoh, Prinsip Haji Hadi BYG Publishers & Distribuors. 2016

See also

In Spanish: Abdul Hadi Awang para niños