IPOH: Members of the Perak Mosque Consultative Council have been advised to broaden their perspectives to enable mosques to play a more dynamic and meaningful role in society.
Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, added that the council should serve as an inspiration to ensure that mosques are seen as centres of knowledge and advancement of civilisation, and not merely regarded as places of worship alone.
He said the narrow-minded view that the mosque was simply a place to pray was deliberately formulated by colonisers in the past with the implicit aim of restricting the role of mosques to only matters of worship.
The Sultan said the council was a new entity formed on the basis of syura (consultation). It was proposed during a session initiated by the Perak Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council president, Tan Sri Mohd Annuar Zaini.
The proposal for the new council was then presented to The Ruler before consent was given for its formation, with the names of individuals proposed by its secretariat to be appointed as the council members that was approved by the Sultan.
The council, said Sultan Nazrin, will bring change in mindset and culture, thus creating new formulations and methods to invigorate mosques.
“May this council serve as an inspiration, nurturing a migration of thought and culture, leading to innovative approaches and strategies that invigorate mosques,” he said in his opening address at a ceremony to hand over letters of appointment to the members of the consultative council at Kompleks Islam Darul Ridzuan here yesterday.
Sultan Nazrin said the concept of syura was introduced by Prophet Muhammad in governance.
Syura entails discussions among experts to arrive at well-informed decisions. It offers a platform for diverse ideas and viewpoints to be exchanged in a dignified, professional and disciplined manner, he added.
It benefits society and parties in conflict with each other by fostering rational understanding and resolutions through respectful dialogue, he said.
“Syura represents an Islamic approach to governance, enabling leaders to seek solutions involving the public through the spirit of forgiveness and negotiation.“Through syura, members have the opportunity to delve into issues, enhance understanding, propose innovative ideas, address challenges and suggest viable solutions,” he added.
Sultan Nazrin also said that the mosque played a crucial role as a centre to spread Islamic teachings and the advancement of civilisation, adding that it is the most special place on earth, recognised as a noble, sacred and blessed place for worship.
He said Perak has 707 mosques and there is demand to build new ones in line with the state’s population growth.
“The Muslim community in the country should indeed be thankful for the availability of mosques that meet their needs,” he said.
Among those appointed in the council is Perak Mentri Besar and state religious committee chairman, Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, who also attended the event.
Mohd Annuar has been appointed the committee chairman.
