MAPIM To Set Up National And Regional Mosque Network Secretariat
IPOH, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- The National and Regional Mosque Network Secretariat will be established immediately following the Regional Mosque Conference 2026 to systematically strengthen mosque institutions across Southeast Asia.
Malaysian Consultative Council of Islamic Organisations (MAPIM) president Mohd Azmi Abdul Hamid said the secretariat would coordinate links among regional mosques, handle member registration, collect data, train volunteers, and manage public and international relations.
He said the secretariat aimed to register 1,000 mosques as members over the next four to five months before expanding the network through joint programmes.
“Once the network is established, we will introduce a mechanism to train mosque volunteers, particularly youth, targeting about 500 volunteers across the region.
“We will also immediately build a database of ASEAN mosques, which total over 1.3 million, with Malaysia being among the priority countries as we already have relevant data,” he told Bernama after the closing of the Regional Mosque Conference 2026 at the Casuarina Convention Centre here today.
Mohd Azmi said the secretariat would establish digital links with mosques across the region to facilitate information sharing and programme coordination.
He said it would also feature specialised units for data, training, public relations, and international relations to ensure decisions made during the conference are implemented effectively.
“We conceived this secretariat because there needs to be a central hub to handle tasks, including building profiles and communications. It will manage mosque administration as well as recruit and register volunteers.
“In addition, we have identified three or four key priorities to nurture within mosques. First is educating those in the vicinity of the mosque, specifically providing proper Islamic education while helping them improve their general education,” he said.
Mohd Azmi added that once established, the secretariat would produce a mosque management manual tailored to the different approaches in each country to empower mosques according to their local context.
The strategic plan will run from 2026 to 2037, supported by periodic evaluations to assess achievements, identify challenges, and improve execution. This effort aims to resolve leadership and management issues, prevent division among congregants, and ensure mosques serve as true unity centres for the regional Muslim community.
Meanwhile, Mohd Azmi said issues concerning Palestine and Al-Aqsa remained central to the network's agenda, including streamlining aid distribution to Gaza.
“Various groups have undertaken relief efforts, so we want to coordinate them so every shipment is properly recorded and accounted for,” he said.
The Regional Mosque Conference 2026, themed “Mosques Empowering the Global Ummah: Unity, Well-Being and the Liberation of Al-Aqsa”, gathered mosque leaders, Islamic scholars, and community activists from across Southeast Asia.
The two-day conference, which began yesterday, drew 200 participants, including representatives from Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Turkiye. Highlights included conference sessions, the Palestine and Al-Aqsa Charity Gala Night, and public talks.
-- BERNAMA
