JOHOR BARU: A mosque-enlivening programme will be launched to make the place of worship a centre of activity for local communities.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Dr Zulkifli Hasan said the programme is expected to be carried out this year.
“We hope this will make mosques a centre for community programmes,” he added.
He lauded the Johor government for initiating the Semarak Subuh programme that encourages community leaders from all 56 state constituencies to perform the subuh congregational prayer.
“The ministry will support any programme that encourages the community to be part of good initiatives,” he told reporters at an event to hand over food aid worth a total of RM50,000 to 200 flood victims at Kampung Sungai Tiram, Ulu Tiram, here yesterday.
On the Geng Subuh Macam Jumaat programme, initiated by celebrity Alif Satar, Zulkifli said the ministry welcomes anyone who organises initiatives that call the masses to do good.
“It is always great to see how one celebrity can encourage others to perform fajr prayers in large numbers. Similarly, our programme will also focus on some activities that we can conduct after the fajr prayer.
“The ministry will ensure that the after-prayer activities are something that can strengthen our community,” he added.
On flood relief efforts, Zulkifli said nearly half a million ringgit had been distributed to flood victims since the monsoon season began in November last year.
“The aid – in the form of food and personal hygiene kits – was given to victims in Kelantan, Pahang, Terengganu, Selangor and Johor as additional aid, aside from the assistance provided by the National Disaster Management Agency,” he said.
