Kuala lumpur: The government is actively supporting initiatives to enhance mosques and suraus across the nation, with plans to upgrade selected suraus into Friday prayer venues at key locations such as shopping malls and highway rest and recreational areas. Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, emphasized the government's commitment to expanding facilities for Friday prayers in response to positive feedback from pilot projects at the Seremban R and R and IOI Mall Putrajaya, which have seen significant attendance.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Dr. Zulkifli mentioned that the previous requirement for parties to apply to establish Friday suraus has been replaced with proactive measures by the government to identify suitable locations. The government has deployed teams to scout potential sites, including shopping malls, to ensure accessibility for worshippers.
During an event at Menara Affin, Tun Razak Exchange (TRX), Dr. Zulkifli presented the Friday Prayer authorisation certificate to Surau Irtifa' and launched the UsimMasjidPro application. Attendees included Affin Bank chairman Datuk Aqil Natt, USIM Board of Directors member Datuk Dr. Hasan Baharom, and USIM Holdings chairman Mohd Khair Ngadiron. Dr. Zulkifli highlighted that several shopping malls, such as Alamanda, and selected highway R and R locations are being upgraded to accommodate Friday prayers. Malaysia currently has over 6,784 mosques, more than 1,000 Friday suraus, and over 18,000 suraus.
Meanwhile, Mohd Khair announced that 500 mosques have registered as users of the UsimMasjidPro application, reflecting strong acceptance of digital mosque management. The application, developed by USIM Holdings and HPSC Sdn Bhd, aims to facilitate digital management of mosques and the kariah community, encouraging a culture of giving with features that allow donations to be made easily.
The UsimMasjidPro system, including a Virtual Account feature managed by Affin Bank Berhad, ensures systematic, transparent, and secure infaq transactions. Key modules include online kariah and death khairat management, mosque activity calendars, prayer times, Quran and tafsir access, and live Makkah broadcasts. A digital infaq module with financial transparency features allows for direct periodic transfers of proceeds to mosque accounts.
Mohd Khair expressed optimism about expanding the application's use, seeing it as a tool to empower the ummah's economy and drive digital transformation in Malaysian mosque institutions.