Friday May 10, 2013

Malacca CM looks at ‘open air’ concept for mosques

MALACCA: Newly-appointed Chief Minister Datuk Idris Haron is looking at the great mosques in Mecca and Madina as examples of an “open air” mosque concept that he hopes to see in Malacca.

“An open-air square in the mosque area can be converted for rest and recreational purpose.

“When it is prayer time, people can perform their solat without having to go inside the mosque,” he said when addressing officers of the Malacca Islamic Affairs Council (Maim) in his maiden speech as the chief minister here yesterday.

Speaking to reporters later, Idris said as a start the Masjid Al-Azim state mosque in Bukit Baru could emulate Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina in creating an open space, with proper fencing and guiding lines.

Idris, who assumes the post of Maim chairman with his appointment as chief minister, also heads the state Islamic affairs committee in the state government.

Idris acknowledged that Maim, the Malacca Islamic Affairs Department (Jaim) and the Mufti's Department had performed well in handling Islamic affairs in the state.

“All these three agencies are well-structured, efficient and systematic and they are internationally certified by ISO.”

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