Response to Oral Question PL130

Reading Summary

📖 Reading time: 3 minutes
📊 Word count: 397 words

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA JOHAN PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ADANAN BIN BEGAWAN PEHIN SIRAJA KHATIB DATO SERI SETIA HAJI MD. YUSOF

QUESTION:

YANG BERHORMAT PEHIN ORANG KAYA JOHAN PAHLAWAN DATO SERI SETIA AWANG HAJI ADANAN BIN BEGAWAN PEHIN SIRAJA KHATIB DATO SERI SETIA HAJI MD. YUSOF asks the MENTERI HAL EHWAL UGAMA to state if the Ministry has steps or initiatives to empower and enhance the management and administration of mosques in this country more effectively and efficiently to make mosques a one-stop centre and a platform for activities that enliven and provide welfare for the community around them in an effort to further develop the propagation of Islam in this country.

YANG BERHORMAT MENTERI HAL EHWAL UGAMA

ANSWER:

The mosque functions as a center of worship, knowledge, and community. For example, the mosque as a place to perform the five daily obligatory prayers, Friday prayers, the two Eid obligatory prayers, eclipse prayers, Qiamullail, spirituality, and religious programs such as halaqah tadarus, Tadabbur, and recitation of selected surahs.

In addition, knowledge enhancement programs are actively conducted with the implementation of lectures, talks, and tazkirah as well as religious guidance classes. Moreover, additional classes for students sitting for certificate examinations, Quran reading classes, and religious practices are also conducted alongside several knowledge sessions on agriculture and health held at several mosques.

Mosques are also used as community centers with programs like charity events to collect in-kind donations such as staple food items and daily necessities for distribution to the needy and less fortunate, conducted by the Youth Mosque Group, Mosque Takmir Committees, other agencies, and NGOs. Furthermore, mosques are also used as venues for meetings of the Mukim and Kampong Consultative Councils.

Alhamdulillah, all these have made mosques a one-stop centre.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Mosque Affairs (JHEM) continues its efforts to make mosques community centers by providing various services such as community centers, religious education, zakat payments, old-age pensions, and assistance. Cooperation with government, private, uniformed bodies, and NGOs is also implemented through charity programs and cleanliness campaigns.

In addition, the Department of Mosque Affairs welcomes the use of mosques as community centers, specifically for old-age pension payments by village chiefs who wish to use the mosque, as has been implemented in several mosques by Penghulu and Village Chiefs.

At the same time, JHEM will continue efforts to hold seminars and workshops for mosque officers and members of the Mosque Takmir Committee to empower and enhance the management and administration of mosques in this country more effectively and efficiently.