ID :
158772
Wed, 02/02/2011 - 18:16
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/158772
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Malaysia proposes asean mosque council
BANGKOK, Feb 2 (Bernama) – Malaysia has proposed the setting up of an Asean Mosque Council, in a move to enhance the role of mosques, in the region.
Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Director-General Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz said mosques have an important role to play in the development of its ummah, especially in multi-dimensional aspects, including politics, economy and social.
"Mosque too can be a bridge between Muslim and non-Muslim communities," he told a conference on "The Role of Asean Mosques in Sustainable Human Development".
He said the council, among others, could coordinate trainings for imam (religious scholar) and mosque administrators in developing sustainable human development adding that Malaysia was willing to share its expertise in the training aspects with others.
The council, he said, could also ordinate the exchange of imam and khatib for Friday prayers in the region, to further strengthen the Muslim community by sharing experiences and knowledge.
Speaking to Bernama later, Wan Mohamad said the mosque could be a bridge between Muslim and non-Muslim communities by organizing activities involving both groups.
For example, mosques could extend its Mathematics and Science tuitions for non-Muslim too, within the community.
"They could also give meat to the poor non-Muslim during the Qurban occasion by slaughtering cow which was not meant for the Qurban on the same day. These approaches have been practiced in some mosques in Malaysia.
"By doing this, poor non-Muslim community could share some meat and not merely be aware of the occasion without getting anything," he said.
Since mosques have also become part of tourism attractions, he said the mosque administrators could play an important role in explaining the beauty of Islam to visitors.
"Imagine Masjid Negara (the national mosque) in Kuala Lumpur receives 14,000 visitors from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore a month...what kind of pamphlets do we need to give them. How do we treat them must be taken into consideration".
The mosque administrators, religious teachers, scholars and representatives of Muslim civil society from the region attended the two-day conference starting Wednesday at the Golden Jubilee Affairs National Administration Centre, here.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva when officiating the conference said mosque was a focal point for praying as well as educating the Muslim community for development and peace.
He said the conference provided a platform for strengthening cooperation of Muslim community in the region.
Abhisit also shared with the participants on the role played by the Thai government in accommodating the needs of the Muslim community in the country.
Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) Director-General Wan Mohamad Sheikh Abd Aziz said mosques have an important role to play in the development of its ummah, especially in multi-dimensional aspects, including politics, economy and social.
"Mosque too can be a bridge between Muslim and non-Muslim communities," he told a conference on "The Role of Asean Mosques in Sustainable Human Development".
He said the council, among others, could coordinate trainings for imam (religious scholar) and mosque administrators in developing sustainable human development adding that Malaysia was willing to share its expertise in the training aspects with others.
The council, he said, could also ordinate the exchange of imam and khatib for Friday prayers in the region, to further strengthen the Muslim community by sharing experiences and knowledge.
Speaking to Bernama later, Wan Mohamad said the mosque could be a bridge between Muslim and non-Muslim communities by organizing activities involving both groups.
For example, mosques could extend its Mathematics and Science tuitions for non-Muslim too, within the community.
"They could also give meat to the poor non-Muslim during the Qurban occasion by slaughtering cow which was not meant for the Qurban on the same day. These approaches have been practiced in some mosques in Malaysia.
"By doing this, poor non-Muslim community could share some meat and not merely be aware of the occasion without getting anything," he said.
Since mosques have also become part of tourism attractions, he said the mosque administrators could play an important role in explaining the beauty of Islam to visitors.
"Imagine Masjid Negara (the national mosque) in Kuala Lumpur receives 14,000 visitors from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore a month...what kind of pamphlets do we need to give them. How do we treat them must be taken into consideration".
The mosque administrators, religious teachers, scholars and representatives of Muslim civil society from the region attended the two-day conference starting Wednesday at the Golden Jubilee Affairs National Administration Centre, here.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva when officiating the conference said mosque was a focal point for praying as well as educating the Muslim community for development and peace.
He said the conference provided a platform for strengthening cooperation of Muslim community in the region.
Abhisit also shared with the participants on the role played by the Thai government in accommodating the needs of the Muslim community in the country.
