Exploring Mosques in Selangor: Their Role as Hubs for Local Economic Activities
Keywords:
Mosque, Microeconomy, Selangor, Development, SocietyAbstract
Historically, mosques can function as centers for community economic development, drawing from their historical role dating back to Prophet Muhammad’s (sal-Allahu 'alayhi wa sallam) era. The study specifically investigates how mosques in Selangor are contributing to community sustainability through various microeconomic initiatives. By employing a qualitative study, the derivation of the primary data is based on in-depth interview and open-ended questions to obtain information regarding the execution of the mosque economic activities. The interview sessions were conducted with the mosques’ management within Selangor district. In addition, the secondary data were based on the library research which consist of analyzing books, journals, fatwas, websites as well as newspapers related to the contribution of mosques in facilitating social economy. The result indicates that the execution of the microeconomic-based mosque has impacted positive social economic activity among people who live in Selangor area. This turns the opportunities for the local people to get involved in small and medium entrepreneurship and reducing unemployment there. Also, the idea of developing the mosque as one stop center for the society to perform economic activities was highly recommended by the authorities. This finding demonstrates how mosques in Selangor can be effectively transformed into vital centers for community economic development. This study has the potential to be the pioneer in addressing the necessity of enlarging the role of the mosques as a centre of microeconomic development.
References
Abdul Rahman, M.N., S. Abdul Hamid, S. Ismail, M.S. Ishak. “Kefahaman Tentang Konsep Pengimarahan Masjid Sebagai Institusi Islam: Pengamalan Terhadap Masjid Yang Terpilih Di Semenanjung Malaysia.” E-Proceedings of 6th International Conference on Mosque, Zakat and Waqf Management. Bangi, Selangor. 30th October 2019.
Wahab. A, S. Arsyad, and R. Syahrani. “Implementation of Sharia Economy as a Model of Community Empowerment.” Indonesian Interdisciplinary Journal of Sharia Economics 4, no. 1 (2021): 168-78.
Kurnia. A., N. Fitriyani, R. Hudaya. “Mosque as a Place to Improve Human Development Index”. Proceedings of the International Conference on Mathematics and Islam (2018): 175-79.
Al-Bukhari, Muhammad ibn Ismail. Sahih al-Bukhari. Dar al-Salam, 2009.
Che Omar, A.R., M.Y. Mohd Hussin, and F. Muhammad. “Mosque Economic Activities and Entrepreneurial Orientation: A Preliminary Study”. International Journal of Accounting, Finance and Business 2, no. 6 (2017): 50-6.
Clarke, V., and V. Braun. “Using Thematic Analysis in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research: A Critical Reflection.” Counselling and Psychotherapy Research 18, no. 2 (2018): 107-110.
Corbin, J., and A. Strauss. “Grounded Theory Research: Procedures, Canons, and Evaluate Criteria.” Qualitative Sociology13, No.1 (1990): 3-21.
El Hussein, M., S. Hirst, V. Salyers, O. Joseph. “Using Grounded Theories as a Method of Theory: Advantanges and Disadvantages.” The Qualitative Report 19, no. 27 (2014): 1-15.
Guest, Greg., MacQueen, Kathleen M. and Namey, Emily E. “Introduction to Thematic Analysis.” In Applied Thematic Analysis, edited by Greg Guest, Kathleen M MacQueen and Emily E Namey, 3-20. California: SAGE Publications, 2011.
Hopf, C. “Qualitative Interviews: An Overview.” A Companion in Qualitative Research 203, no. 8 (2004): 100093.
Ismail, Z. “Manfaat Masjid, Tekonologi Lonjak Produktiviti Ekonomi Islam.” Berita Harian, 2022. https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/agama/2022/01/911362/manfaat-masjid-teknologi-lonjak-produktiviti-ekonomi-islam#google_vignette
Jamsari, E.A., S.N. Tumiran, K.A. Bakar, and Z. Arifin. “Peranan dan Sumbangan Institusi Masjid dalam Pembangunan Masyarakat Melayu-Islam di Singapura: Satu Kajian di Masjid Assyafaah, Sembawang.” Journal of Islamic and Arabic Education 2, no. 2 (2010): 31-44.
Koehrsen, J. “Muslims and Climate Change: How Islam, Muslim Organizations, and Religious Leaders Influence Climate Change Perceptions and Mitigation Activities.” Wires Climate Change 12 (2021): 1-19.
Longhurst, R. “Semi-Structured Interviews and Focus Groups.” In Key Methods in Geography, Edited by Nicholas Clifford, Meghan Cope and Thomas Gillespe. California: SAGE Publication (2023): 168-83.
Prasad, B. Devi. “Content Analysis: A Method in Social Science Research.” In Research Method for Social Work edited by D. K. Lal Das and Vanila Bhaskaran, New Delhi Rawat Publications (2008): 69-90.
Raga Utama, R.D., Z. Fitrandasari, M. Ariffin, and R. Muhtadi. “Can Mosque Fund Management for Community Economic Empowerment? An Explanatory Study.” International Journal of Islamic Business Ethics 3, no. 2 (2018): 451-57.
Ritonga, A.H., and M.R. Wijaya. “Mosques and Economic Empowerment of The Ummah.” Jurnal At-Taghyir: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Pengembangan Masyarakat Desa 4, no. 2 (2022): 317-32.
Safei, A.A., and P.S. Armstrong. “Mosque Management in Urban City: Bargaining between the Sacred and the Social Challenges.” Wawasan: Scientific Journal of Religion and Socio-Culture 8, no. 1 (2023): 43-54.
Sulaiman, K.U. “An Islamic Perspective on the Protection of the Mind and Attainment of Happiness.” Proceeding–3rd KualaLumpur International Islamic Studies and Civilisations. 25 & 26 Feb 2017.
