YaPEIM Forum: Mosque Management Needs Training For Effective Governance

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- The management of mosques across the country must receive adequate training in administration to ensure transparent and effective governance, said Selangor State Mosque Grand Imam Muhammad Farhan Wijaya.

He said proper training is crucial as mosque administrators not only lead their local communities in worship but also manage the mosque’s finances.

"The role of a mosque manager is significant. We don’t want them (mosque administrators) to receive appointment letters and continue working without knowing how to manage finances, for instance.

“To elevate religious leaders, they must be knowledgeable and receive training in administrative matters," he said during a forum titled "The Role of Mosques and Islamic Agencies in Economic and Community Development."

The forum was organised by the Malaysian Islamic Economic Development Foundation (YAPEIM) as part of the YAPEIM 2024 Regional Forum held here today.

He made this remark in response to the views expressed by the forum's moderator, Datuk Dr. Sheikh Ghazali Abod, a member of YAPEIM's Entrepreneurial Development and Thought Leadership Committee, who noted that mosque administrators are currently overwhelmed with various tasks.

Sheikh Ghazali suggested that mosque administration should be divided by separating the roles of the imam and the mosque manager.

Also sharing his perspective, Professor Dr. Abdul Ghafar Ismail, a lecturer at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Faculty of Economics and Management, advised that Islamic religious councils in Malaysia should implement a recruitment test for mosque administrators to ensure they are genuinely qualified for the role.

"Currently, there isn't such a test to determine the qualifications of those seeking to join the mosque management committee," he said.

-- BERNAMA