Bachok:The Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) Bachok Mosque conducted its first Friday prayers today, marking a significant milestone since its establishment in 2017.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the inaugural prayers were made possible by special permission granted by the Sultan of Kelantan, Sultan Muhammad V, on May 14. The event attracted approximately 2,000 congregants.

UMK vice-chancellor Datuk Prof Dr Arham Abdullah highlighted that this approval is a crucial step in enhancing the mosque's role as a hub for worship, education, character development, and community service. He noted that UMK's Islamic Centre had been submitting applications yearly, leading to a discussion and site visit by the Jemaah Ulama of the Kelantan Islamic Religious and Malay Customs Council (MAIK) on July 16 of the previous year.

Among the attendees were 1,025 students from various educational institutions, including the Bachok National Youth Higher Skills Institute, Bachok Vocational College, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Tok Bachok, and Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Dato' Perdana. The remaining attendees were local community members.

Dr Arham expressed optimism that this development would facilitate greater initiatives to establish the mosque as a center for knowledge and character development, benefiting the broader community and the ummah.